Bedworth and Nuneaton

Hi Baz clever you to think of reading the history of cooking books. By the way changing the subject, that yard in Nuneaton with a stone with a rusted metal ring, by any chance could it be a coal hole as up Yorkshire there are a lot of them especially in Bradford, the coal men use to tip it in the hole which went down into the cellar, my youngest daughter had one in her house on the Leeds Road.

Hello again Morgana. The coal hole is one of the sheds at the top of the yard. A friend of mine said it may be one of two things. 1- It might be an entrance to the stream that runs under that area, where people could draw water up from for washing etc. A kind of well but had running water. 2- The other is that it is part of the Priest's bolt hole from St. Mary's Abbey (this being about 500 yards as the crow flies) With regards to the first, there is a stream that runs through the grounds of Manor Court Nursing home on Manor Court Rd. The stream passes under the road, and heads down the side of the Abbey grounds. From there it follows the back of the houses in Little Duke St, before going underground under the town. The funny thing is that no one knows the source of the stream. If you were to follow it back, the last part of it that is above ground is in a garden in the Vernons Lane/Stanley Rd area, where the owner has made a feature out of it. Queens Road was once called Wash Lane and got its name from being flooded on a regular basis from brooks which ran down each side. These were later culverted but continue to run to this day underground. A little more on Nuneaton, does anyone remember the train crash at the station on the 6th June 1975? Or the helicopter that the police were chasing going into one of the quarries?

Thanks for all the information of the stream Baz, I would say more the stream than the priest hole myself, I did know of the grounds of the Manor Court Road one as I used to live in Duke Street also in the town itself now known as George Eliot used to be the Bull Hotel.

Does anyone know the exact location to Hartshill Hayes tunnel/cave entrance

There is a photo of it on their website, I think it's bricked up. Location wise no idea...

Thankyou.

This is what I believe to be the entrance to the Haunted Tunnel at Hartshill Hayes...

Wow, I'm intrigued now. Rumour has it goes a long way if it wasn't bricked up. I thought it may start in the grounds of Hartshill Castle. But your photo proves wrong as it's located on a steep hill with a tree above it. I wonder if it's in the second woods over the hill and not the main woods?

Hi Paul. I still cannot be of much help because my son took the photo, but I will ask him the location next time I see him

Thanks again Norm. Yes that would be great. No rush

Hi Paul. My son says the tunnel entrance is in a wooded area on the quarry side, and that you go down a steep slope to it amongst large trees. Sorry if this is a bit vague but it's the best I can do. Good luck.

Hello Norm, thanks for that, I will take a trek this week up there.

Heritage Open Days in Bedworth If anyone fancies a visit to Bedworth during the annual Heritage Open Days in September there are several events that may appeal. Thursday 12th September at 10.30am. A guided tour of ribbon weavers, Toye, Kenning and Spencer. Booking essential on 024 7661 9126. Friday/Saturday 13/14th September 10.30-1.00/10.30-3.30. Bedworth Heritage Centre will have a new exhibition showing how original photos and documents are turned into 'History'. Saturday 14th September 10.00-2.00 Bedworth Almshouses will be opening with a new exhibition in the Governors Hall looking at the 'Newdigate Connections'. Saturday 14th The Heart of England Car Club will have a display of British built cars in All Saints Square outside the almshouses. Saturday 14th Bedworth's own Roman Legionary Marcus Sulpicius Vepitta will be challenging children to get involved with the history of the Romans. Many of the local churches will also be open with displays/exhibitions. More details on 024 7636 4446

In addition to the previous post, the 300 year old almshouses will be launching its new website (took a long time). This will be carried out by the Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth around 10.30. Get a free balloon. Entertainment is going to be provided by Mr Juggler and his Punch and Judy show and a Glenn Miller Tribute band/singer and Jitterbug dancers. We are hoping to put the cars in the grounds of the almshouses to make room for the entertainment in All Saints Square. I forgot, the local Rotary Club will also be running a barbeque at the entrance to the almshouses. Weather permitting it should be a good day.

So many things going on today, but it would be nice if some of you could find your way to Bedworth. I will be the one in the old top hat.