North Wingfield & Winster

Another 2 Stoops this week and there's only a couple more to do.
We had a lie in this week, didn't start until 7:00am on a nice cool morning.
We set off heading for North Wingfield via Clay Cross. This Stoop is adjacent to the Gate public house, on the side of the road and protected by a small iron fence.

Stoop X2

 Apparently this stoop started out in life as an ancient village cross and then was adapted to become a guide post (Stoop) in 1702 when an act of parliament made parishes introduce these way markers.

Stoop X2 with the Gate in the background

From North Wingfield we made our way to Mathersgrave via Ogston Reservoir. The Stoop at Mathersgrave has an intriguing story.

Stoop X3 with a small inscribed stone panel adjacent.

About 1720 one Samuel Mather committed suicide and at that time anyone who committed suicide could not be buried in consecrated ground and they were often buried in unmarked graves. It is believed that his body was found some years later when the road was widened. His body was re buried under the garden wall near by. The stone panel built into this wall has the initials S.M.

After visiting Mathersgrave we made the trip to Winster. The Stoop at Winster is on private land. We had 2 choices, either walk along a footpath that got within a half a mile of the stoop and cross over the open fields and risk the wrath of the farmer, or go straight to the farm and ask permission to visit the stoop. We decided to go directly to the farm, Winster Moor Farm and ask permission. The farmer has lived and worked in the area all his life and was knowledgeable about the local stoops. He told us where to go and even turned off one of the electric fences so we could get access.

Stoop W9

This Stoop also sadly has a suicide story when John Alsop of Slaley killed himself. It is reported that because he committed suicide he had to be buried outside the boundary of Bonsal parish which lies along this packhorse route. The stoop has an inscription on one face with reference to the body of John Alsop resting close to this place. The inscription has most of the words weathered away.

Ike giving some scale to stoop W9

Negotiating the electric fence

This must have been an old pack horse route

Ike trying out a bit of limbo dancing

We stopped off near Stoop W8 and the Winster Ore House for our breakfast.

Stoop W8

Winster Ore House

Plaque on Winster Ore House

There is one Stoop in Darley Dale that is in a private garden and the location is not yet known to us. We decided to go to St. Helen's church (dates from the 12th century) and ask the vicar if he knew the whereabouts. We didn't see the vicar but we met Peter the bell ringer, a really interesting half hour went by discussing stoops and gravestones.

St Helen's Church Tower with a Sun Dial on the right

Stone coffins at St. Helen's

This scull & crossbones was on the back of this gravestone

Born 1631-Died 1733 who said they always died young in those days

The gravestone above shows a man born in 1631 and died at the age of 102. He was born during the rein of Charles 1st and died while George 2nd was enthroned, a total of 10 monarchs!!! Is this a record - answers on a postcard please.

Peter Ike Geoff & Rob

An old weavers resting place.

The carvings of the tools of the weaver are clearly shown on the side of this table tomb dated from the mid-18th century when the Huguenot's who were Protestant exiles fled from France to England. 

Don't be worried if you didn't spot RAMBO this week - he was away visiting his cousins.
Cheers