DOCSLIB.ORG

Tysoe, Oxhill and Whatcote

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tysoe, Oxhill and Whatcote BRAILES AND SUTTON UNDER BRAILES; TYSOE, OXHILL AND WHATCOTE St. George’s Church, Brailes St. Thomas à Becket Church, Sutton under Brailes Parish Profile St. Mary’s Church, Tysoe St. Lawrence Church, Oxhill St. Peter’s Church, Whatcote 1 | P a g e CONTENTS Page 3 Bishop’s Introduction Page 4 Deanery Summary Page 5 Background to Post & Role Description Page 6 Person Specification Page 7 St. George’s Church, Brailes Page 11 St. Thomas à Becket’s Church, Sutton under Brailes Page 14 St. Mary’s Church, Tysoe Page 17 St. Lawrence’s Church, Oxhill Page 20 St. Peter’s Church Whatcote Page 23 Vicarage Information Page 24 Current Pattern of Church Services Page 25 Finance and Stewardship Cover photographs from shipstondeanery.co.uk 2 | P a g e BISHOP’S INTRODUCTION These beautiful parishes, set in the centre of England, with their cherished rural environment, their strong commitment to the well being of their villages and their support for the life of the Church, provide a very attractive place in which to live and minister. The opportunity for the new incumbent – and one that is not now readily available in the Church of England – is to follow a priest who has strengthened the stability of these communities with long years of loving service, and given himself very fully to the lives of their parishioners, especially in Brailes and Sutton under Brailes. The challenge – a deeply exciting one – will be to build upon this firm basis, grow the spiritual life of the people, release more of the gifts of the people of God, reach out to those distanced in any way from the Church and lead the different church communities into a more integrated, common mission. With the forthcoming retirement of the Associate (House for Duty) Minister and able retired clergy living in the Benefices, there is a wonderful chance to build a clergy team across the group and, together, to develop an active lay ministry. When I came to the Diocese in 2008, I was charged by the then Archbishop of Canterbury to ‘release the missionary energies of the Diocese of Coventry’. That is what we have been doing over the last years, helped by our clear Mission Purpose and supported by our strategic emphasis on growing healthy church communities. That is the work to be done in these Benefices and I gladly comment it to you With my prayers 3 | P a g e DEANERY SUMMARY This group of churches is part of the Deanery of Shipston, the southernmost tip of the Diocese of Coventry. Shipston Deanery has this group and four Benefices containing 26 parishes, with 28 churches: apart from the market town of Shipston (sadly without an actual market nowadays), each is a small rural community with its own identity – just like those in this group. The Deanery is geographically quite spread out, but with a total population of just 15,500 or thereabouts – smaller than many single urban parishes. It is an area with far more sheep than people, where the farming year is critically important, and which comes with all the privileges, responsibilities and challenges of rural life. When I look at Brailes, Sutton-under-Brailes, Tysoe, Oxhill and Whatcote, I see five welcoming church communities, each trying to be faithful both to God and their churches. I see each individual trying to serve God, each other and the communities in which they are rooted; and each open to learning more about Jesus and their journey of discipleship with him. I see five village communities, in each of which there is a strong place for the church at its heart, and characterised by deep relationships which interweave church and village life. I see five churches each concerned to rise to the challenge of making God’s love known and real, and of seeing lives transformed, in a rapidly changing world. I also see five churches becoming increasing open to and aware of their lives together as part of the body of Christ. In terms of attendance, several of these parishes tend to punch well above their weight: Sutton, the smallest often has a quarter or more of the village population in church on a normal Sunday. Our aim as a Deanery is to celebrate our lives together as the family of God; to learn together, and to speak together of what we have seen and heard. As a Diocese we have spent much time in consultation with those involved in multi-parish benefices in our rural communities, and are actively committed to supporting them. Our small numbers here mean that Shipston Deanery has a vital role in resourcing, supporting and enabling those in the small churches who find some tasks beyond their capabilities. Deanery Synod and Lent and Ascension Services have long formed the backbone of this: increasingly we are running teaching courses, music workshops and social events to enable us to be more fully the body of Christ. Rev Canon Dr. Jill Tucker Area Dean of Shipston 4 | P a g e BACKGROUND TO POST The Benefices of Brailes, Sutton under Brailes and the Benefice of Tysoe, Oxhill and Whatcote (TOW) are situated in lovely rural southern Warwickshire approximately 10 miles from Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire and a similar distance from Banbury in Oxfordshire. The previous incumbent, The Revd Canon Nicholas Morgan retired in October 2016, after 37 years in post. He was initially Rector of Sutton under Brailes, and Vicar of Brailes, and became Priest in charge of Tysoe, Oxhill and Whatcote (TOW) about 10 years ago. Nicholas had, what is now a unique ministry, of being able to concentrate his time on the two relatively small villages of Brailes and Sutton-under-Brailes. When the TOW group were added, he was assisted by a House for Duty Priest, who lives at Tysoe Vicarage, who will retire at Easter 2017. The benefices are also blessed by the presence of the Area Dean, the Reverend Canon Jill Tucker, who lives in Oxhill, and two retired priests, the Reverend Canon Tom Moffatt, who lives in Tysoe, and the Reverend Canon George Warner, who lives in Brailes, also Mrs. Jennie Rake, Reader, who lives in Tysoe, all of whom are willing to assist the new post-holder in any way they can. The five Parishes have generally operated as separate worshipping communities and there has been little or no attempt to amalgamate the organisation leadership or worship across the whole group, although the churches of TOW are increasingly working together. This represents an opportunity for the future and is an area which requires further development to encourage fellowship across the group and to make the running of the parishes more manageable. Positive steps have however started to be made towards this, with churchwardens now meeting more regularly together, and a recent quiet day for all churches led by the Area Dean and Dean of Coventry. Also administration is currently carried out by the clergy themselves but we envisage a future situation where a new Priest-in-Charge would benefit from a part time administrator for the five churches working more closely together. This post provides a great opportunity for a priest who wishes to lead a hitherto diverse group of rural churches into greater unity and effectiveness together for the Kingdom of God. 5 | P a g e ROLE DESCRIPTION The role of this post is to lead the Churches in fulfilling the diocesan mission purpose of: Worshipping God Making new disciples Transforming communities This will be achieved by developing 8 essential qualities in the life of the Church: Empowering Leadership Gift-oriented Ministry Passionate Spirituality Inspiring Worship Holistic Small Groups Need-oriented Outreach Loving Relationships Functional Structures PERSON SPECIFICATION We welcome applications from candidates with a gently vibrant, living faith in Jesus Christ who: Can enable both traditional and contemporary forms of worship to be inspiring, and attract a younger age range. This will include a love of all types of music and music-making. Inspire people with the love of Jesus and the Bible, bringing fresh ideas and expressions of faith. Have a successful track record of collaborative leadership, and have a desire to empower, motivate and mentor existing and potential members of the Churches in Christian discipleship and leadership. In a rural context this will inevitably involve developing positive pastoral relationships with the church and village communities. Have the skills, wisdom, and character to lead all 5 parishes towards a much greater mutual working together whilst still retaining their unique identities as the centres of their communities. Have experience of developing excellent relationships with young people and parents in Parishes including through Schools. 6 | P a g e A DESCRIPTION OF THE BENEFICES As the benefices have operated as 5 independent units it would be unrealistic to attempt to give a co-ordinated view of them all. We have therefore chosen to describe each parish separately. St. George’s – Brailes St George’s is popularly known as the “Cathedral of the Feldon” being the grandest church in the Warwickshire “field land” south of the River Avon. The church today stands as a reminder of Brailes’ past and its continuing role as a Christian beacon. Brailes in fact comprises two halves - Upper Brailes and Lower Brailes - but is commonly known to all as “Brailes”. It is a sought-after village known for its strong community spirit and activities. There are many groups and clubs which meet regularly from a children’s drama club to the Mechanical Society. Each August it hosts the Brailes Show which includes show-jumping a flower and produce show as well as side attractions and displays.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bibliography19802017v2.Pdf
    A LIST OF PUBLICATIONS ON THE HISTORY OF WARWICKSHIRE, PUBLISHED 1980–2017 An amalgamation of annual bibliographies compiled by R.J. Chamberlaine-Brothers and published in Warwickshire History since 1980, with additions from readers. Please send details of any corrections or omissions to [email protected] The earlier material in this list was compiled from the holdings of the Warwickshire County Record Office (WCRO). Warwickshire Library and Information Service (WLIS) have supplied us with information about additions to their Local Studies material from 2013. We are very grateful to WLIS for their help, especially Ms. L. Essex and her colleagues. Please visit the WLIS local studies web pages for more detailed information about the variety of sources held: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/localstudies A separate page at the end of this list gives the history of the Library collection, parts of which are over 100 years old. Copies of most of these published works are available at WCRO or through the WLIS. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust also holds a substantial local history library searchable at http://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/. The unpublished typescripts listed below are available at WCRO. A ABBOTT, Dorothea: Librarian in the Land Army. Privately published by the author, 1984. 70pp. Illus. ABBOTT, John: Exploring Stratford-upon-Avon: Historical Strolls Around the Town. Sigma Leisure, 1997. ACKROYD, Michael J.M.: A Guide and History of the Church of Saint Editha, Amington. Privately published by the author, 2007. 91pp. Illus. ADAMS, A.F.: see RYLATT, M., and A.F. Adams: A Harvest of History. The Life and Work of J.B.
    [Show full text]
  • Land and Building Asset Schedule 2018
    STRATFORD ON AVON DISTRICT COUNCIL - LAND AND BUILDING ASSETS - JANUARY 2018 Ownership No Address e Property Refere Easting Northing Title: Freehold/Leasehold Property Type User ADMINGTON 1 Land Adj Greenways Admington Shipston-on-Stour Warwickshire 010023753344 420150 246224 FREEHOLD LAND Licence ALCESTER 1 Local Nature Reserve Land Off Ragley Mill Lane Alcester Warwickshire 010023753356 408678 258011 FREEHOLD LAND Leasehold ALCESTER 2 Land At Ropewalk Ropewalk Alcester Warwickshire 010023753357 408820 257636 FREEHOLD LAND Licence Land (2) The Corner St Faiths Road And Off Gunnings Occupied by Local ALCESTER 3 010023753351 409290 257893 FREEHOLD LAND Road Alcester Warwickshire Authority Occupied by Local ALCESTER 4 Bulls Head Yard Public Car Park Bulls Head Yard Alcester Warwickshire 010023389962 408909 257445 FREEHOLD LAND Authority Occupied by Local ALCESTER 5 Bleachfield Street Car Park Bleachfield Street Alcester Warwickshire 010023753358 408862 257237 FREEHOLD LAND Authority Occupied by Local ALCESTER 6 Gunnings Bridge Car Park School Road Alcester Warwickshire 010023753352 409092 257679 LEASEHOLD LAND Authority LAND AND ALCESTER 7 Abbeyfield Society Henley Street Alcester Warwickshire B49 5QY 100070204205 409131 257601 FREEHOLD Leasehold BUILDINGS Kinwarton Farm Road Public Open Space Kinwarton Farm Occupied by Local ALCESTER 8 010023753360 409408 258504 FREEHOLD LAND Road Kinwarton Alcester Warwickshire Authority Occupied by Local ALCESTER 9 Land (2) Bleachfield Street Bleachfield Street Alcester Warwickshire 010023753361 408918 256858 FREEHOLD LAND Authority Occupied by Local ALCESTER 10 Springfield Road P.O.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Appeal Decision
    Appeal Decision Inquiry opened on 21 October 2014 Site visits carried out on 21 and 30 October 2014 by Mrs J A Vyse DipTP DipPBM MRTPI an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Decision date: 18 December 2014 Appeal Ref: APP/J3720/A/14/2217495 Land north of Milcote Road, Welford­on Avon, Warwickshire CV37 8AD • The appeal is made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 against a refusal to grant outline planning permission. • The appeal is made by Gladman Developments Limited against the decision of Stratford-on-Avon District Council. • The application No 13/02335/OUT, dated 11 September 2013, was refused by a notice dated 19 March 2014. • The development proposed is described as residential development (up to 95 dwellings) parking, public open space, landscaping and associated infrastructure (outline with all matters reserved other than means of access to the site, and new community park). Decision 1. For the reasons that follow, the appeal is dismissed. Preliminary Matters 2. The Inquiry opened on Tuesday 21 October 2014 and sat on 21-24 and 28-31 October 2014. I carried out an initial accompanied site visit on the afternoon of the first day, with a further accompanied visit carried out on 30 October 2014. 3. This is an outline application with all matters other than access reserved for future consideration. The access details, as shown on plan TPMA1047_106, include the main site access off Milcote Road, an emergency access near to the main access, and a new footway extending westwards along the northern side of Milcote Road, from the emergency access, past the main site access and the frontage to Weston House and Milcote, to the junction with Long Marston Road.
    [Show full text]
  • POLITICS, SOCIETY and CIVIL WAR in WARWICKSHIRE, 162.0-1660 Cambridge Studies in Early Modern British History
    Cambridge Studies in Early Modern British History POLITICS, SOCIETY AND CIVIL WAR IN WARWICKSHIRE, 162.0-1660 Cambridge Studies in Early Modern British History Series editors ANTHONY FLETCHER Professor of History, University of Durham JOHN GUY Reader in British History, University of Bristol and JOHN MORRILL Lecturer in History, University of Cambridge, and Fellow and Tutor of Selwyn College This is a new series of monographs and studies covering many aspects of the history of the British Isles between the late fifteenth century and the early eighteenth century. It will include the work of established scholars and pioneering work by a new generation of scholars. It will include both reviews and revisions of major topics and books which open up new historical terrain or which reveal startling new perspectives on familiar subjects. It is envisaged that all the volumes will set detailed research into broader perspectives and the books are intended for the use of students as well as of their teachers. Titles in the series The Common Peace: Participation and the Criminal Law in Seventeenth-Century England CYNTHIA B. HERRUP Politics, Society and Civil War in Warwickshire, 1620—1660 ANN HUGHES London Crowds in the Reign of Charles II: Propaganda and Politics from the Restoration to the Exclusion Crisis TIM HARRIS Criticism and Compliment: The Politics of Literature in the Reign of Charles I KEVIN SHARPE Central Government and the Localities: Hampshire 1649-1689 ANDREW COLEBY POLITICS, SOCIETY AND CIVIL WAR IN WARWICKSHIRE, i620-1660 ANN HUGHES Lecturer in History, University of Manchester The right of the University of Cambridge to print and sell all manner of books was granted by Henry VIII in 1534.
    [Show full text]
  • A Report on the Developments in Women's Ministry in 2018
    A Report on the Developments in Women’s Ministry in 2018 WATCH Women and the Church A Report on the Developments in Women’s Ministry 2018 In 2019 it will be: • 50 years since women were first licensed as Lay Readers • 25 years since women in the Church of England were first ordained priests • 5 years since legislation was passed to enable women to be appointed bishops In 2018 • The Rt Rev Sarah Mullaly was translated from the See of Crediton to become Bishop of London (May 12) and the Very Rev Viv Faull was consecrated on July 3rd, and installed as Bishop of Bristol on Oct 20th. Now 4 diocesan bishops (out of a total of 44) are women. In December 2018 it was announced that Rt Rev Libby Lane has been appointed the (diocesan) Bishop of Derby. • Women were appointed to four more suffragan sees during 2018, so at the end of 2018 12 suffragan sees were filled by women (from a total of 69 sees). • The appointment of two more women to suffragan sees in 2019 has been announced. Ordained ministry is not the only way that anyone, male or female, serves the church. Most of those who offer ministries of many kinds are not counted in any way. However, WATCH considers that it is valuable to get an overview of those who have particular responsibilities in diocese and the national church, and this year we would like to draw attention to The Church Commissioners. This group is rarely noticed publicly, but the skills and decisions of its members are vital to the funding of nearly all that the Church of England is able to do.
    [Show full text]
  • Warwickshire
    Archaeological Investigations Project 2003 Post-Determination & Non-Planning Related Projects West Midlands WARWICKSHIRE North Warwickshire 3/1548 (E.44.L006) SP 32359706 CV9 1RS 30 THE SPINNEY, MANCETTER Mancetter, 30 the Spinney Coutts, C Warwick : Warwickshire Museum Field Services, 2003, 3pp, figs Work undertaken by: Warwickshire Museum Field Services The site lies in an area where well preserved remains of Watling Street Roman Road were exposed in the 1970's. No Roman finds were noted during the recent developments and imported material suggested that the original top soil and any archaeological layers were previously removed. [Au(abr)] SMR primary record number:386, 420 3/1549 (E.44.L003) SP 32769473 CV10 0TG HARTSHILL, LAND ADJACENT TO 49 GRANGE ROAD Hartshill, Land Adjacent to 49 Grange Road Coutts, C Warwick : Warwickshire Museum Field Services, 2003, 3pp, figs, Work undertaken by: Warwickshire Museum Field Services No finds or features of archaeological significance were recorded. [Au(abr)] 3/1550 (E.44.L042) SP 17609820 B78 2AS MIDDLETON, HOPWOOD, CHURCH LANE Middleton, Hopwood, Church Lane Coutts, C Warwick : Warwickshire Museum Field Services, 2003, 4pp, figs Work undertaken by: Warwickshire Museum Field Services The cottage itself was brick built, with three bays and appeared to date from the late 18th century or early 19th century. A number of timber beams withiin the house were re-used and may be from an earlier cottage on the same site. The watching brief revealed a former brick wall and fragments of 17th/18th century pottery. [Au(abr)] Archaeological periods represented: PM 3/1551 (E.44.L007) SP 32009650 CV9 1NL THE BARN, QUARRY LANE, MANCETTER Mancetter, the Barn, Quarry Lane Coutts, C Warwick : Warwickshire Museum Field Services, 2003, 2pp, figs Work undertaken by: Warwickshire Museum Field Services The excavations uncovered hand made roof tile fragments and fleck of charcoal in the natural soil.
    [Show full text]
  • Council Land and Building Assets
    STRATFORD ON AVON DISTRICT COUNCIL - LAND AND BUILDING ASSETS - JANUARY 2017 Ownership No Address e Property Refere Easting Northing Title: Freehold/Leasehold Property Type User ADMINGTON 1 Land Adj Greenways Admington Shipston-on-Stour Warwickshire 010023753344 420150 246224 FREEHOLD LAND Licence ALCESTER 1 Local Nature Reserve Land Off Ragley Mill Lane Alcester Warwickshire 010023753356 408678 258011 FREEHOLD LAND Leasehold ALCESTER 2 Land At Ropewalk Ropewalk Alcester Warwickshire 010023753357 408820 257636 FREEHOLD LAND Licence Land (2) The Corner St Faiths Road And Off Gunnings Occupied by Local ALCESTER 3 010023753351 409290 257893 FREEHOLD LAND Road Alcester Warwickshire Authority Occupied by Local ALCESTER 4 Bulls Head Yard Public Car Park Bulls Head Yard Alcester Warwickshire 010023389962 408909 257445 FREEHOLD LAND Authority Occupied by Local ALCESTER 5 Bleachfield Street Car Park Bleachfield Street Alcester Warwickshire 010023753358 408862 257237 FREEHOLD LAND Authority Occupied by Local ALCESTER 6 Gunnings Bridge Car Park School Road Alcester Warwickshire 010023753352 409092 257679 LEASEHOLD LAND Authority LAND AND ALCESTER 7 Abbeyfield Society Henley Street Alcester Warwickshire B49 5QY 100070204205 409131 257601 FREEHOLD Leasehold BUILDINGS Kinwarton Farm Road Public Open Space Kinwarton Farm Occupied by Local ALCESTER 8 010023753360 409408 258504 FREEHOLD LAND Road Kinwarton Alcester Warwickshire Authority Occupied by Local ALCESTER 9 Land (2) Bleachfield Street Bleachfield Street Alcester Warwickshire 010023753361 408918 256858 FREEHOLD LAND Authority Occupied by Local ALCESTER 10 Springfield Road P.O.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Coventry Cathedral Prayer Cycles
    Coventry Cathedral Prayer Cycles Please join us as we pray for our Cathedral, the life of the wider Diocese of Coventry, our partners in the Community of the Cross of Nails and our brothers and sisters across the world in the Anglican Communion. Sunday 8 November 2020 The Cathedral The Sunday 8.00 am congregation; our partnership with Holy Trinity The Diocese of Coventry We pray for all parishes that are currently experiencing a vacancy. We pray for the appointment processes, that the right ministers will be found to lead these parishes forward. We also pray for the new opportunities in lay ministry during the vacancy. The Community of the Cross of Nails Germany: BERLIN, Kirche in der Arbeitswelt 'Haus Kreisau' ('Haus Kreisau' Conference Centre); Germany: BERLIN, Kirche zu den vier Evangelisten Berlin-Pankow (Church of the four Evangelists); Germany: BERLIN, Martin-Luther-Gedächtniskirche (Martin Luther Memorial Church); Germany: BERLIN, St George's Anglican Church. The Anglican Cycle of Prayer Pray for the Church in the Province of the West Indies; The Most Revd Howard Gregory - Primate and Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands Monday 9 November 2020 The Cathedral The Reconciliation Department and CCN Project Office Alice Farnhill; the development of St Michael’s House The Diocese of Coventry Brailes & Sutton, with Tysoe, Oxhill & Whatcote. Clergy: George Heighton, Heather Parbury, Jill Tucker, George Warner. Reader: Jennie Rake. We thank God for calling Heather to join us as our Associate Minister. Please pray for those in our group who cannot get to church that they will continue to join in our worship being Zoomed from our churches.
    [Show full text]
  • Choice Plus:Layout 1 5/1/10 10:26 Page 3 Home HOME Choice CHOICE .ORG.UK Plus PLUS
    home choice plus:Layout 1 5/1/10 10:26 Page 3 Home HOME Choice CHOICE .ORG.UK Plus PLUS ‘Working in partnership to offer choice from a range of housing options for people in housing need’ home choice plus:Layout 1 5/1/10 10:26 Page 4 The Home Choice Plus process The Home Choice Plus process 2 What is a ‘bid’? 8 Registering with Home Choice plus 3 How do I bid? 9 How does the banding system work? 4 How will I know if I am successful? 10 How do I find available properties? 7 Contacts 11 What is Home Choice Plus? Home Choice Plus has been designed to improve access to affordable housing. The advantage is that you only register once and the scheme allows you to view and bid on available properties for which you are eligible across all of the districts. Home Choice Plus has been developed by a number of Local Authorities and Housing Associations working in partnership. Home Choice Plus is a way of allocating housing and advertising other housing options across the participating Local Authority areas. (Home Choice Plus will also be used for advertising other housing options such as private rents and intermediate rents). This booklet explains how to look for housing across all of the Districts involved in this scheme. Please see website for further information. Who is eligible to join the Home Choice Plus register? • Some people travelling to the United Kingdom are not entitled to Housing Association accommodation on the basis of their immigration status. • You may be excluded if you have a history of serious rent arrears or anti social behaviour.
    [Show full text]
  • The Morris Brothers(Sons of Charles Henry and Emily Morris)
    Great War in the Villages Project The Morris Brothers (sons of Charles Henry and Emily Morris). Prior to the commencement of the Great War there were two families that shared the same surname of Morris living within the parishes of Wellesbourne. The family of Henry Charles Morris and Emily, his wife, were relative newcomers to the area whereas John Henry and Alice Morris could trace their roots within Wellesbourne to at least the 18th century. It appears that the families were not closely related. Entries in the local South Warwickshire newspapers during the years of the Great War suggested that there were two members of Henry Charles’s family that served in that war, his sons Harry and Jesse. Henry Charles Morris was born during the early months of 1867 in the south Oxfordshire village of Horspath. He married Emily Pinn in Headington, Oxfordshire during the spring or early summer of 1892. She was also a native of the county. Recordsi suggest that the couple had 11 children yet only 6 survived infancy. Harry Morris. Private, Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry (Believed). Harry was born on the 13th October 1894 in Headington Oxfordshire and subsequently baptised in the Holy Trinity Church of Headington Quarry on 25th November of the same year. The family then appeared to move around the country possibly as his father sought work. They arrived in Wellesbourne around January 1905 when his son Harry was registered to join the village schoolii, the family having previously lived in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire. The 1911 census, the last prior to the commencement of the Great War, indicates that Harry, then aged 16 years worked as a General Labourer.
    [Show full text]
  • Background Notes to the Appointment Of
    DIOCESE OF COVENTRY BACKGROUND 1. COVENTRY and WARWICKSHIRE: Population, Place and Politics Coventry and Warwickshire’s economy has substantially changed in the past 20 years. During the twentieth century, the sub-region grew with the industries of the time – automotive, aerospace, electrical engineering, telephones and manmade fibres. In the twenty-first century, information and communications technologies, research and development, electronics and precision engineering are becoming major employers. The service sector has also grown with more jobs in retailing, often part time and employing more women. At the same time, the more traditional sectors have been re-engineered to meet the challenges of global competition. The loss of Jaguar and Peugeot car production did not significantly dent the economy of the city of Coventry although, with the passing of car manufacturing, there was a real loss of local morale. Nonetheless, Coventry remains a thriving city (population 313,000) but living with the significant challenges of recession The 2010 IMD statistics show that the city has areas of deprivation falling within the worst 10% nationally with two parishes in the east of the city amongst the most deprived 1%. Unemployment rates have risen significantly in recent years. Since the autumn of 2008, the claimant count for Coventry and Warwickshire has been consistently around 20,000 people, a figure double its pre-recession level. This higher level has had a marked social impact with more people struggling with debt and other related pastoral issues. As with other areas in the country, one particular group feeling the effects more than others are those aged 16-24.
    [Show full text]
  • German Prisoners of War on Lowes Lane
    Great War in the Villages Project The Great Escape from Wellesbourne – German Prisoners of War on Lowes Lane In 1917 The War Agricultural committee saw the need to turn barren tracts of land into cultivated areas with Prisoners of War providing the labour. And so, in August of that year, the first German P. O.Ws arrived in the Stratford upon Avon area, to clear some land at Mr. Lane’s Farm, Little Drayton. With most of the young men from the surrounding area still at the Front and the appeals for girls to join the Land Army paying little dividends, additional farm labour was needed in the Wellesbourne parishes. Holly Lodge in Lowes Lane , Wellesbourne Mountford was at the time a large house incorporating a stable block which the military requisitioned in 1918. With some additional work from the local builder, Owen England, the Lodge was now ready for its first intake of German Prisoners. It was late, about 9.30 p.m. on Saturday the 15 th June 1918 when the first contingent arrived to a reception committee of curious villagers. A Lieutenant Kelly, accompanied by several guards, escorted them on the last leg of their journey from Ettington Station to Holly Lodge. The early indications were that their work was good and that they were performing satisfactorily. The Holly Lodge camp was under the control of its ‘parent camp’ and the country’s largest, Poundbury, Dorchester. The welfare of the prisoners was paramount and they were paid for their labours. In preparation for the yearly harvest, a further 30 non commissioned officers arrived in Wellesbourne three weeks later from Dorchester.
    [Show full text]