Bath Abbey and Perrymead Cemeteries
Thursday, April 15, 2021 Click for tickets
A guided tour of Bath Abbey & Perrymead cemeteries will be led by Dr Phil Bendall who created the Bath Burial index, giving their history and characteristics and pointing out the memorials for various notable people and the reasons for them being notable. Both cemeteries contain Grade II-listed memorials and the mortuary chapel in Perrymead cemetery was Grade II listed on the grounds of architectural interest as a good example of mid-C19 Gothic Revival architecture on a modest scale.
A Walk around Pensford Village and Publow Church (TEST)
Thursday, May 27, 2021 Click for tickets
The evening stroll commences at the Publow Church Car Park near Publow Church. There will be a guided tour of All Saints church which is Grade 1 listed and is the parish church for Publow and Pensford. It lies in rural splendour by the banks of the River Chew. Much of the church dates from the 14C and the magnificent tower is 15C. Acker Bilk was born in Pensford and his grave is close by his beloved River Chew.
After visiting the church we make our way back to Pensford village (parking at the Memorial Hall) for a second tour led by local historian Hilary Cox. Pensford’s importance grew with the medieval wool and textile trades and in the 14C the largest cloth market in Somerset was in Pensford. Later industries included coal, a dairy, a tannery and the railways which have all left their mark. Many buildings date from this period.
The most dominant feature is the stupendous railway viaduct – 30m high with 16 arches it is Grade II listed – you may still be able to buy it – for £1! It and the railway lines closed in 1968 as the collieries shut down.
In 1968 the Chew Valley experienced devastating floods with 7 – 10 inches rain falling in 7 hours. Pensford suffered severe damage as did other villages in the Chew valley and the bridge over the A37 was washed away.