Heritage Open Day in Solihull

Families | Memories | Reunions | History | HOME

At Elmdon Park visitors had an opportunity to discover the history of the Elmdon Manor Estate and talk to Alan John Sherriff the author of a book on the subject, to learn about its association with the Spooner family (originator of the term Spoonerism) and its connection with William Wilberforce the anti slavery campaigner. There were guided tours of St Nicholas Parish Church and an opportunity to talk to the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust about the work they are doing and about the ancient trees on site. Land Rover put on a display of their vehicles illustrating the developments over the last 50 years and there was a display by Birmingham Airport showing its 60 year history and their plans for the future.

One of the most interesting displays gave visitors a chance to take a sauna in a Medieval Sweat Lodge. Stones are heated in a wood fire then plunged into water in a darkened igloo formed with Hazel branches. Burnt mounds resulting from this practice are sometimes discovered usually near streams or lakes, and are fairly distinctive as field monuments due to the appearance of the fire-crazed stones.

Tudor Grange House and Gardens
Also open to the public, Tudor Grange House. Built in 1883 it is a very good example of 19th Century romantic architecture. The interior contains elaborate oak panelling, statues and German, Flemish and Italian stained glass panels. In 1889 it was bought by Alfred Bird, founder of the Birds Custard Company.

Earlswood Engine House and Lakes
Heritage Open Day once again provided an opportunity to look inside the brick engine house which for over 100 years housed a Boulton and Watt beam engine used to raise water from the lakes to the Stratford canal. And also take a guided tour around the lakes, now an important wildlife area.
Nearby Earlswood Village museum which contains many interesting objects and documents relating to the area also opened its doors.

Other places of interest open to the public included Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, St Mary & St Margaret Church, Chester House and Knot Garden a 15th Century Elizabethan Town House in Knowle and The Court of Lady Katherine Leveson at Temple Balsall.