As I Rode Out...

Just a few more intriguing oddities that caught my attention as I pedalled my bicycle through the backroads of England.

The Old Guildhall

In the village of Whittlesford stands this imposing medieval building known as The Old Guildhall. The guilds were an important part of medieval life. There were two sorts of guilds: craft guilds, which were organisations formed by various trades to maintain standards and fair dealing, and also social guilds which gave assistance to the poor. They also helped with building roads, bridges and other things which were for the public good. But they became victims of their own success and were seen as a source of possible rebellion. In 1547 an act was passed which confiscated their lands and wealth. Many of the craft guilds escaped since they had influence in high places but the social guilds perished and many poor people found no help when they most needed it.


Clunch

Most of those lovely cottages which I've photographed have walls made of "clunch", which is just relatively hard bands within the chalk which forms the low hills of southern England. As it is rather susceptible to frost-damage it is usually concealed beneath a layer of plaster, but here you can see the bare bones of the building. The advantages of clunch is that is very easily carved and shaped so the blocks could be cut very accurately. The delicate carving seen in the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral is also of clunch so this humble cottage has a rather superior ecclesiastical relation.


Famous Son Of Barley

When cycling through the village of Barley I came upon this monument to Thomas Willett who was born in the village in 1605 and went on to become the first mayor of New York. The same plaque also celebrated a famous geneticist and two Archbishops who hailed from this small place. We don't all be country bumpkins and village idiots, see.


Staddle Stones

In an earlier post I talked about an old granary and explained how they were raised off the ground on mushroom-shaped stones. I said I'd show you a picture of some, but of course they turned out not to be as plentiful as I imagined. But here at last is a splendid example of a granary standing on staddle-stones (even if the name on the side does say, probably incorrectly, "Staddle Barn"). You can see that a mouse or rat would find it difficult to get in - the steps are a modern addition.


A Sign Of The Times

And a rather sad sign; another pub has closed down leaving only its now empty sign. This one has become a private house, others have been transformed into restaurants, Chinese take-aways or offices. A pub near here which had the splendid name of "The Olde English Gentleman" now serves Indian food. 'Nuff said.


"Slasher's Shop"

This little building used to strike fear into the heart of every small boy for miles around; for here resided "Slasher" Osbourne, the demon barber. Old Fred, for that was his real name, had a regular clientele of aged farm-workers who liked "a decent haircut". The short-back-and-sides was the speciality of the house, and Fred could certainly cut it short. I even heard one of his farming friends say "If 'e'd cut it any shorter I wouldn't a been able ter shut me eyes!".
But show some sympathy, dear reader, this was the late nineteen-sixties - The Beatles, The Rolling Stones - every schoolboy tried to let his hair grow a little over his collar. Then mother would send you off to get a haircut at that nice Mr Osbourne's. I remember trying to grow my side burns and was quite proud of my efforts. Fred seemed to show some enthusiasm for the project as well, "Would sir like the sideboards on or off?" he enquired and to my surprise he left well alone and carried on shaving the rest of my head. By the time he got to the other side however he'd forgotten all about our plans and shaved the other sideburn off regardless.
 They used to say that one brave boy went in and announced that he wanted a Beatle haircut. He got a short back and sides. "That's not how the Beatles have their hair", he complained. "They will if they come in 'ere" said Fred.

Take care.