Batchwood Hall Clock Tower

 



Last chance to walk over Batchwood Golf Course before lockdown laws ease to allow golfers back. Batchwood was built as his home by Lord Grimthorpe (born Edward Becket Denison).


Among other things Becket (the family dropped Denison from the family name) did, was design clock mechanisms. He designed Big Ben and at his home he built a one-fifth size clock face and timing mechanism of the same design.


He also funded and (controversially) repaired St Albans Abbey, which is clearly visible across the valley form Batchwood Hall. It is said he used a telescope to ensure restoration workers weren't slacking.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Vuelio Blog Awards 2018

Image
To London and the 2018 Vuelio Blog Awards , held in the Bloomsbury Big Top in Guilford Street , just a short walk from St Pancras station. Pre-dinner Prosecco was very welcome, then we moved to the dining hall. Entertainment with aerialist and fire dancers was followed by an excellent dinner, especially the shredded duck on roasted butternut with hoisin sauce starter.  New this year was a photo booth and selection of hats. One had 5 seconds between flashes to change hats.  In the packed goody bag was my favourite gift, a Chilli Advent Calendar , with 25 different chillis and powders with descriptions and recipes. Railway signals down meant most trains were cancelled and there was 40 minutes to wait before a train, an all stopper, arrived.
Read more

Commonplace Book 2022

Image
  Posted out my third Commonplace Book Cover shows our October holiday Narrowboat Annabelle at Gaskell’s Bridge,  River Trent, Alrewas, Staffordshire, England 16 October 2022. Back cover inserts:  Jack, Emma, Toby, Peter, Joan at Prae Wood Arms, St Albans, England 16 September 2022 and Dan, Krisie, Joan, Peter at Dylan’s, Criccieth, Wales 24 January 2022
Read more

Day 14 - Friday - Newbold to Braunston

Image
 Our last full day. We left Newbold at 09:30 and it was dry and bright but at 11:15 it started to rain heavily. The supplied waterproofs proved not to be proof against heavy rain, but it didn't seem to worry Dan. Rain let up for a while as we approached Braunston but started again.  Several fields along the river showed signs of mediaeval strip farming, as shown by 'ripples' in the grass   We moored at 15:50, most of the places were taken and we couldn't tie-up close to the pub. Heavy rain had soaked the tow path which was mostly muddy puddles. We were back at The Boathouse which we'd dined in at the start of our cruise. Dan found a route back along the road to avoid the worst of the tow path. Newbold to Braunston - 10.5 miles - 3 locks - 5h20 plus an hour moored for lunch.
Read more