Almshouse Hill

This is Almshouse Hill which rises from the central square towards the posh expensive top part of the village.

It is quite a steep rise and it twists around a couple of sharp bends - there is a 90 degree bend just in front of the cottage in the photo.

In the village archive there is a record of hill climbing trials for early motor vehicles - from the viewpoint of a young lad.

"Now the Almshouse Hill led upwards in a most vicious and spectacular way, being akin to a stony river bed, with two stone grips crossing the hill diagonally leading into grates....."

"Long before the appointed time (if that existed), crowds would gather, sitting on every wall end, wedged tightly into the sides, a most dangerous practice. A roar heralded the first optimistic assailant...."

"There was no way that speed could be the climbing factor due to sharp bends and the stones, in fact the cards were heavily stacked against an ascent..."

"As each one either stalled on hitting the stones, or the sheer steepness beat them,willing hands helped to push the vehicle(s) out of the way before the next one came along, it often happened that three or four were stuck at the same time, chaos reining, adding to our enjoyment...."