Exhall

Thanks Helen. Now, most of the land between Dead Lane (St Giles) and Vicarage Lane is now built on, Deans Way, Ash Green School and playing fields, only plot 227, next to the Church Hall is still land (park). D.

St Giles is a much better name. People were living in Dead Lane on the 1939 register.

I feel much better knowing that I was married nearly 50 years ago in St Giles Lane rather than Dead Lane

From the newspaper archives the residents were asking for the name to be changed in 1947 and suggested St Giles Road. The first time it is mentioned is 1948

Hadn't thought about that. My parents got married there and are now buried in the Churchyard. I bet not many, if anyone, living in St Giles Road today know it's former name.

Thanks for the info. D

Early maps that show St Giles Road as Dead Lane also show Blackberry Lane as Rookery Lane but the big house was listed as Blackberry House. The farm at the end of the lane near the pools was/is Rookery Farm. I suppose [as the crow flies] it isn't far to Rookery Lane off Nunts Lane.

Dead Lane in Coventry also changed its name but more interesting is why it had the name in the first place. There is a theory that it was so named after a particularly deadly pass of the plague, wiping out most of the residents. Dead Lane Exhall was empty prior to its renaming. Might it have once been more populous but that everyone was wiped out? Or is there a more subtle reason for 'Dead' lanes?

In the case of St Giles I assumed that it was called Dead Lane because there was a cemetery nearby?

Thanks to everyone for all of your very informative responses. At least I know where my relative was living on the 1939 Register and where Dead Lane was. D

This old 1888 map [courtesy Old Maps.co.uk} shows Dead Lane and St Giles Lane BUT also a pub [The Bell] What happened to the pub?

The road to the right of the church, skirting the graveyard, is Bell Drive.

The Bell Inn, believed to be the oldest inn in Warwickshire, was closed in 1923.

Have you ever noticed Anne, where there has always been a village church there is a village pub not too far away. Also these days the pubs are full and the church might be empty - collection boxes 'zilch'. The village folk have the option, that one or the other. No wonder we live in a wicked world.

Correct me if I am wrong but I heard the story that one of the long time vicars at St Giles church is buried directly under the entrance door. I was christened at the church 75 years ago and nothing has changed since then. I understand the church is about 800 years old...Just to change the subject, how did Bedlam Lane down the road from there get its name.Keep up the good work this is a fantastic site.