Berkswell, Warwickshire

The two story gabled porch of St John Baptist and opposite, Well House.

The south porch, cutting in to the Norman doorway, was added to the church in the 16th century. Long ago the room above was used as the village school, and in more recent times as the meeting place for the parish council. Today it serves as the vestry.

Well House was once the rectory. In 1865 Henry Watson became the vicar, moving from Harrow to Berkswell,and bringing with him his wife and young family. His daughter, Maud had been born in 1864. In 1884, at the age of 19, Maud won the first ever Ladies’ Singles title at Wimbledon. She continued to live in Berkswell until 1932. She died in 1946 and is buried in the churchyard.

As I was taking this picture, the church bells were ringing out for all they were worth. I had heard the bells before I ever saw the church. However, a few moments later they were silenced and the chirrup of birds again filled the air. As I got to the church gate to return home, I heard  'excuse me' two or three times. The bell ringers wanted me to take their pickies. They had a life size cardboard cut out of The Queen and a large union jack to be included. They were clearly visiting because they wondered if I rang at the church. They asked for my name and made a point of repeating it a few times to remember. Perhaps one of the pickies will be found on a tour blog one day. Oddly, it never occured to me to take a shot of them on my camera!