Saturday 1 November 2014

History of the Lane

So many beautiful souls live in this lane. 

Two photos have been shared with me this week, one of the lane around 1950 and another one from the other end of the lane, from around 1900.

Sanctuary Smallholding was originally the brick furnace manager's home, the deputy lived next door and so on, as you walk up the lane. 

Originally, the railway line did not have access underneath for carts or cars and the families had to risk crossing the main line to go into the nearest town.


It's great to see the faces of the brick furnace workers and their families. The houses were built with two entrances and this was originally the back lane it's now the only entrance in. The front path is now closed off as it now runs across the gardens. 


One neighbour has lived here since the 1950's and her husband lived here from the age of 4.  

Each cottage originally had a pigsty and luckily we still have our two pigstyes. There also used to be allotments behind.

We are in the middle of a valley, :between 4 villages. Have the phone code of one town and fall under the borough of another, the church parish of another village and the village address of a village furthest away from us?  

We are blessed to live in this secret single track lane, hidden away with all these views and walks and nature.



















Studio Kiln and Wheel

A dream came true for me in October when my studio space was enhanced suddenly.  I had mentioned to only a few people that I was looking out for an old kiln and wheel. 


A lovely neighbour spotted a newspaper ad and popped it round.  And I am now 
the proud owner of my very own kiln, wheel and pugmill. 


I went to meet the potter who was sorting out her studio. Ann is an amazing lady in her 80's, living in a beautiful gatehouse on the other side of the County. The house is surrounded by the most amazingly planted gardens. 

I am about to have the kiln serviced and fixed ready for firing the ceramics I dream of making.


The 300kg kiln travelled across the County to its new home in our conservatory and up those steps.