Sutton Cheney to Shenton.

Hi Folks.

Sutton Cheney to Shenton 1.4 miles in 45 minutes.

We only did a short jaunt today, because we wanted to visit Shenton and Whitemoors Antiques and Crafts Centre. But before we set off from our 48 hour mooring, we reversed the boat to the water point, to fill the tank and to get rid of any remaining rubbish in the hold. Whilst we waited for the water tank to fill, we spotted some logs hiding in the bushes, so we dug them out of their hiding place and put them in the hold. One of the water taps leaks quite badly, so I was thinking I should contact British Waterways to let them know, but no sooner I had that thought, two British Waterways maintenance checkers came along and added it to the jobs to be done list. That saved me an e-mail.

10am water tank filled we were ready to head off to Shenton. From Sutton Cheney to Shenton is a very pretty section with views across the fields and into Ambion Wood which follows the canal.

We arrived at the offside Shenton 48 hour moorings which takes you down on to the Bosworth Battlefield, to find there was only a couple of small boats moored up, which we had seen back at Stoke Golding, so we pulled in right at the far end and moored up.

After some lunch and a coffee, we set off to walk the three quarters of a mile to Shenton village.

Now not sure if they know something we do not, but it seems Shenton is expecting ice.

The village of Shenton is a tiny agricultural village still and is dominated by the stunning Shenton Hall and gatehouse which was built by William Wollaston in 1629 after he purchased the estate. From what we could see it looks stunning.

The Wollaston Family occupied the house until the death of Hubert Charles Wollaston in 1940. During World War II the army took possession and the prisoners of war were accommodated on the estate, so you could say they were a little like the program of Downton Abbey.

When William Wollaston died, the house was passed to his cousin another William in 1688.

Another member of the family who is buried in the church grave yard is Major Frederick Wollaston, who married Josette Eliza Jane Arbuthnott, daughter of Admiral Sir Alexander Dundas Arbuthnott, who is also buried in the church grave yard, he was a midshipman at the Battle of Trafalgar.

 

The detached gatehouse, has a date stone WW 1629. I can imagine the grounds are incredible. We walked to the Whitemoors Antique and Crafts Centre and were quite surprised by the amount of antiques on show, in what was once a farm house and farm yard which is Grade II listed in parts.

 

We perused the wares and both Keith and I fell in love with a tin painted tin bath. It is a real gem, which we now have hanging in the engine room. We will have to do some investigation into the artist who signed it as M. Tongue.

We found a rather nice wicker basket which Keith bought me, it will go well with our 1930’s/40’s dress, especially at the Village at War weekend at Stoke Bruerne.

Before we left we had a cup of coffee in the Tearooms and definitely think the centre is well worth a visit. On the way back to the boat we went and had a look at the very pretty little church which is perched on a bank and were amazed to see it open, as so many are locked these days.

 

The stain glass windows are very beautiful, and in excellent condition.

In the churchyard we came across the 2 family plots, I have spoken about above, the Wollaston family who owned Shenton Hall opposite the road from the church, and the Arbuthnott family, who were both related by marriage, Admiral Sir Alexander Dundas Young Arbuthnott, whose daughter married into the Wollaston family. I am going to do some more research on both the families.

The church of St John the Divine was completed in 1861 on the site of a much older church. The current church was designed by the Rev H J Wollaston, whose family contributed substantially to the construction. The architect was W H Knight from Cheltenham. The organ was donated by Mrs A Wollaston in 1887 to replace the harmonium, it is really beautiful little church.

Going back to Sir Alexander Dundas Young Arbuthnott, he was born in Forton, Hampshire and that was not far from where I used to live. Its a small old world.

So back on the boat, I now have dinner to think about and then to feed mog and dog. Our evening will be spent watching "I'm A Celebrity", which should be a laugh if last night is anything to go by with Sinitta screaming her head off in a cave with Pat Sharp. I was sad to see that Freddie Starr was not going back into the jungle, but it was for the best as he was not well. Maybe he will try and do it again one day. I think he would have been fantastic, especially with any eating task. Not sure I am liking Fatima, she has a very poor attitude. So now Freddie has gone, I am backing Little Willie Carson.

Chat soon xx