Walton Gardens

I am still getting over a cold so I decided that I would not go ringing this morning. I did however walk down into the village and listen to the rest of the band ringing the bells. Quite different to hear it from outside.

It was a beautiful sunny morning so when NM finished ringing we headed up to Walton Gardens. It was formerly the family seat of the Grenalls, of brewing fame, and is now owned by the council. Over the years they have developed it into a fine municipal park. The latest part to be re-opened is the old laundry which has been converted into a bicycle museum. Work is taking place on restoring the indoor riding school which will open in the spring. The next phase is the restoration of the magnificent greenhouses which should be completed by 2019.

We had parked the car outside the church and as we made our way back to it the last of the congregation were coming out. The church is usually closed when we are at Walton Gardens so we decided to take the opportunity to have a look inside. We received a lovely welcome from the Vicar, the Verger and a couple of members of the congregation. They pointed out the stained glass window one panel of which pictured a fox hunt, a favourite pastime of their Patron, and another depicting Grenall's brewery. Can this be the only church stained glass window with a brewery?

We came back home and then decided to head out to Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden for a spot of lunch. The walled garden is the only part of the Grappenhall Heys estate that remains. The house, once home to the Parr family, has long since been knocked down.  We enjoy the food at the walled garden but the wait is usually quite long. Today was no different.