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Archiver > ENG-WORCESTER > 2011-09 > 1317039256


From: A CLARKE <>
Subject: Re: [WOR] Blockhouse
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:14:16 +0100 (BST)
References: <1317021643.80589.YahooMailRC@web87010.mail.ird.yahoo.com><CABaXQnTjbLX6FhCjNqOEVmUNj5ega2tHbO+eTQyxdzqgbbSnfg@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CABaXQnTjbLX6FhCjNqOEVmUNj5ega2tHbO+eTQyxdzqgbbSnfg@mail.gmail.com>


Thank you Roger, that is a very clear explanation.

Eveline




________________________________

Stanley's Worcester & Malvern Guide Book states 1852 ....
St. Paul's.—The place in which this church is situate is called
the Blockhouse,* an extra-parochial district which has become thickly populated
within a few years in consequence of the formation of the canal, the
establishment of Messrs. Hardy and Padmore's foundry, and the great scarcity of
dwellings for the poor which was previously experienced. Some fifteen or sixteen
years ago a few benevolent individuals used their exertions to collect funds for
the erection of a church in this (at that time) greatly demoralised district. A
sum was raised sufficient to build a small church and to secure a trifling
annual stipend (about £26) to the minister, to which the Pastoral Aid Society
made an addition; and upon the passing of 6 and 7 Vic., this extra-parochial
district, together with a part of St. Peter's parish, was formed into an
ecclesiastical parish. The church has since been enlarged, and now contains 600
sittings, chiefly free. Patron, the Bishop (value £100); the Rev. D. Wheeler,
incumbent; clerk, Mr. J. Shepherd.
* So called from the fort, or block-house, that stood upon it. In a field in
the Blockhouse, by the canal side, near Sidbury, a chalybeate spring was
discovered in 1816, and Chambers, in his History of Worcester, published in
1819, says that hundreds of persons "have and continue to receive great benefit
from its healing powers." Now, however, no more is heard of it. Why it was
abandoned is to us unknown."

Roger






On 26 September 2011 08:20, A CLARKE <> wrote:

Before we leave the subject of the Blockhouse completely, can anyone tell me how
>this part of Worcester got its name.      If as Gus says it was boggy waste
>land, I assume that it was drained at some point, or did the digging of the
>canal help to clear the water from it.    If so I assume the canal had to have
a
>clay lining to stop the water from escaping.      
>
>
>I am also assuming that the factories in that area were built because of the
>canal with its easy access to transport goods up to Birmingham or down to
>Bristol and further afield.
>
>I was also wondering how old the glove factories were, as I know that in the
>19th century glovemaking was a "cottage industry" with lots of outworkers (my
>great grandmother amongst them), but assume there had to be a factory where the
>leather was tanned and everything was checked and put together.
>
>Eveline
>
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