Hi All.
I like the idea of the mineral rights, but all we get around here
is Cotswold stone, not much you can do with that except build walls.
Still, if ever you had to buy any you'd think it was gold plated!
Bad news I'm afraid guys, regarding the show. I'm afraid that
because of this factory move I may have to miss most of it on account of
being in Ireland, however all is not lost and it's looking possible
that I may be there for the open days. Of course this does not effect
your kind offer to come up and lend a hand. We will find you camping
space at no cost with free entry to the show for a few hours of your
time whilst you are there. Would anyone interested in lending a
hand let me know your details and I will arrange for the necessary
passes to be sent to you. If I should not be on site at the time of
your arrival see Pete Simper (He lives in your village Bill), Martyn
Slater or John Keedwell. Pete will definitely be able to advise how
best you can assist. Incidentally I would advise arrival Wed or Thurs
and there is no rush to vacate the site till the following Monday.
Friday night and Saturday night there is live entertainment in the beer
tent and the fun fair stays open late both nights. Most of the Stickland
family can be found in the Countryside area, except Ben who spends most
of his time in the telehandler. The rest are Sue (wife) Becky, section
leader (daughter)
Becci (daughter in law, Ben's wife), Damien (Becky's partner) finally Buzz (Ben's dog).
Shame about the loss of amenities at Biddestone Graham, once the
school, shop and PO are gone so is the heart of the village. Good to
know that the pub is still OK, but I guess they get a fair trade from
'Outsiders'.
When I was a small child Hartham Park was in the ownership of Col
Nicholson and eventually fell to his son. Ultimately towards the end of
the fifties it was sold to The Stone Firms (Bath and Portland) but I
guess it has moved on since then. The farm adjacent to the public lane
at Hartham, which I've always believed to be a tennant farm, part of the
Hartham Park estate was always occupied as I've said by the Taylors,
they had several daughters and at least one son. I rather assumed that
the son may still have been running it, but obviously not so.
The other lane leading to Hartham Park, from Pickwick past
Beechfield House and terminating in a cluster of cottages and a farm we
also believed was part of the Park estate, incidentally , this farm was
run by the Stafford family. I have reason to believe that it is still
occupied by the same family, possibly Guy Stafford, he would be about
our age.
The stone trough at the well of stars was never very good, but I guess it has deteriorated further over the years.
One of my sons knows of its whereabouts but I have never told anyone else for the reasons that you have outlined
but I felt that the local knowledge should be handed on to the next generation at least.
A bit further away, I know, but do you know the whereabouts of the 'Dry Arch'. Roughly the same direction.
Finally, thanks for posting the super photos of Biddestone and Starwell.
Have to go now.
Have fun all.
Sticky.
Available