Author: Antony Farmer
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Airport Threat – Headline News
Shown below are a selection of Newspaper Headlines from 2002. More details from the various local newspapers during 2002 and 2003 are in the Research section of the archive, including the various letters from villagers published at the time. Read more
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An Ancient Protest Poem
The following rather epic poem is entitled “Newnham Regis”, although it seems to have been part of a longer work called Horae Podagrinae, by Allesley Ward-Boughton-Leigh. The work reflects on the activities in the 1850s that uncovered various graves belonging to St Laurence’s Church which were of various members of the Leigh Family – discussed… Read more
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Newnham Regis References in 1795 Publication
In 1795 a book was published entitled Picturesque Views on the Warwickshire, or Upper Avon, written by Samuel Ireland. The book considers the various settlements alongside the River Avon from the source on the Warwickshire borders. Although it was personally illustrated by the author during the earlier part of that decade, the specific illustrations do… Read more
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Henry Beighton Map – 1725/9
In 1725 Henry Beighton carried out a survey of Warwickshire, and the resultant maps were published in 1729, including as an update to the “Antiquities of Warwickshire” work written by William Dugdale. The key to these maps indicates that the churches are drawn to their true shape and of four sizes as they bear proportion… Read more
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Church Lawford Nursery
Church Lawford Nursery was one of the biggest draws for visitors to the village for many years. It opened in mid-1960s as a small plant-oriented nursery, just beyond the houses at the bottom of Kings Newnham Road. It grew over the years to offer a complete retail range of plants, shrubs and trees with a… Read more
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The Village Post Office
Although Church Lawford had a Grocers Shop from early in the nineteenth century, it was only after the Whiteman family then took over as the Village Grocer during the 1870s, that a Post Office was also opened. Prior to that date the local directories advised that the nearest money order office was in Rugby. (In… Read more
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The King’s Newnham Monster Fish
In March 1802 the Coventry Standard reported on an unusual event in King’s Newnham. The words of the report have been transcribed below as they are rather tricky to read, but the creature found is described as the “greatest curiosity this country ever produced” – one which the British Museum would deem as “a valuable… Read more
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The Church Lawford and Kings Newnham Reading Room (1912-2008)
The concept of a Village Reading Room had been seen as an important asset for the two villages towards the end of the Nineteenth century, with the initial provision being made available in the Rectory or in a village cottage, but only at certain times, and focussed on the male population. The need for a… Read more
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Village Shop
During the time that Church Lawford village had a Grocers Shop it was located in quite a variety of places. The first clear reference in nineteenth century records is in the 1835 Pigots Directory, when both Sarah Dalton and William Hirons (1788-1865) are listed as a Grocer. Both are also listed in the 1850 directory,… Read more