enjoy the view

NOTES

www.walkscene.co.uk

Cottages at Slaughterford

Ford & Slaughterford

Notes and points of interest

By Brook This moderate trout stream runs through several pretty villages in the area, including the picturesque village of Castle Coomb (upstream). The ancient Fosse Way runs close to the river for a while.

Quaker Meeting Place I missed this myself, but one of our correspondents tells us that this historic chapel is well worth a closer look.

Slaughterford The village originally had a name of similar sound that meant nothing to do with slaughter; in fact it held references to the blackthorn trees that were common in the area. The name was slightly changed to recall the bloody battle in the area when Alfred the Great defeated an army of Danes.

Slaughterford Church The church you now see was built in the Victorian era at the site where a much earlier church had been destroyed by Cromwell's army during the Civil War. The church had lain derelict for around 200 years.

Those boots! I couldn't find any explanation for this bizarre 'sculpture' - but it consistes of a real pair of fashion boots filled with concrete or plaster and fixed to a log alongside the path. The exceptionally high heels would have disqualify the wearer from walking this path under almost any conditions. One of our correspondents says there was a murder in the area and these boots turned up a year later. It's a grisly story and we don't know if it's true; does anyone else know?