By Christine Swan

As has become my custom every year, I end it by reviewing my travels and significant events. January is usually a month of unpredictable weather so I tend not to stray far. It is usually a busy month for work also, and so, apart from my travels around Birmingham, I did not make any significant journeys.

A theatre trip to London in early February based me in Westminster. I remember that there was due to be a large demonstration which I preferred to avoid. As an English Heritage member, I had never visited the Jewel Tower, opposite the Houses of Parliament, so decided to correct this. It was a chilly day so it was also a pleasure to get out of the cold wind.

The Jewel Tower on College Green with Westminster Abbey rising in the background

The Jewel Tower was, as the name suggests, constructed to provide secure storage for precious objects. It was later downgraded but still was used to house some historically significant items including the toy dolls of Henry VIII’s daughters, Elizabeth and Mary.

Finds from the moat – one person’s trash is another’s treasure

In the nineteenth century, it housed the Board of Trades department for weights and measures standardisation. As you move between the storeys of the building, you travel through the centuries of its history. One of the most fascinating aspects for me was to look out from the windows towards the Houses of Parliament and to consider who else may have looked out from these same windows and what might their view have been. The stairs are narrow so ascent and descent needs to be planned by finding a suitable gap in the flow of visitors. There is a small cafe and gift shop on the ground floor but, alas, no toilets.

Plan your descent carefully!

Who else has looked through this window?

Unfortunately, I lost a dear friend this year and his funeral took place in the West Midlands while I was in London. Instead, I headed towards the Actors’ Church in Covent Garden as this was an appropriate setting to remember him. Amongst dancers, comedians, actors, and the stars of musical theatre, he would have been most at home. The weather brought brilliant sunshine and, as I returned to the Piazza, a unicyclist was comically struggling to mount his vehicle. Despite my sadness, I couldn’t help but smile as it was so comical. I do believe that comfort arrives in the most unusual ways, and I believe that my dear, talented, friend Paul, was laughing in heaven.

Inside the Actor’s Church, Covent Garden – a place for quiet reflection and remembrance

The weather was kind – outside of the Actors’ Church

A unicyclist in the Piazza lightened my sad day

One horrible, rainy day in February, we had the silly idea of a family trip to Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean Gloucestershire. As the weather was inclement, I assumed the role of Prophet of Doom. We arrived in the rain, and parked the car, dodging puddles and the rain to reach the entrance to the Caves. I have to confess that from my initial reservations, Clearwell Caves was a fascinating place to visit.

Freeminers mined iron ore and coal in the cave system. The remnants of a mining past are everywhere but the caves also have some other interesting exhibits. A warming cup of tea and cake in the cafe and a look around the interesting gift shop, and we ventured out again into the rain. Underground, you forget about the weather above making this a perfect trip for a rainy day.

Remnants of a mining past

Projections and lighting make for an atmospheric experience

March brought some more fine weather and two more trips to London, including a visit to Old St Pancras church, where some of my Cooke ancestors were baptised, married and buried. This church is situated behind Euston station, and only a short walk from St Pancras and Kings Cross. The Cookes were carmen so worked closely associated with the railway network. Parcels and goods arrived by rail and the carmen delivered them to their destination. The little historic church is an absolute gem and well worth a visit. It is a complete contrast to the New St Pancras Church on Euston Road, which I visited during the Open City Open House event.

Fantastic weather in early March

Old St Pancras Church

Inside the delightful Old St Pancras Church

There are a few memorials of note including Mary Wollstonecraft, Sir John Soane, and other significant parishioners.

I walked to Camley Street Nature Park and enjoyed a refreshing cup of tea and a slice of cake in the sunshine. It was a delight to be in a natural oasis in the heart of London, which provides a habitat for so many animals and plants, with the Regents Canal running alongside providing more walks and interesting sites. This area of London has been much improved and was a very pleasant setting in the warm sunshine. I moved on to Coal Drops Yard. This is an excellent reimagining of over twenty historic buildings associated with Kings Cross station that had been derelict. They now house shops, restaurants, and offices, and drew a heathy footfall on the day that I visited. As with so many other areas of London, this is a welcome brown-field development that creates a positive economic benefit out of dereliction.

Regents Canal

Cowslips and Camley Street Natural Park

Camley Street is adjacent to the Regents Canal

A perfect Saturday morning

Coal Drops Yard

At the start of April, I took a quick trip to Bristol. I visited the church of St Philip and St Jacob, known affectionately as ‘Pip and Jay’, where many of the Bull family were baptised. A rare plant sale was taking place so I had to pay an entrance fee but, I didn’t see this as a barrier as the plants were rather beautiful. The church is very pretty and dressed with green finery and exotic blooms, was delightful. The font is exceedingly old, and would have been the very same one where the Bull babies would have been baptised.

Inside the Church of St Philip and St Jacob

The exterior of the church

The Norman font

Scented geraniums from the plant sale

It is only when I review my whole year that I appreciate how much I have managed to pack into twelve months. So much in fact, that I will need more than one blog post to recount it all. I will end this edition by posting an image that means a great deal to Worcester people – the ‘Nearly Home tree’ of Crookbarrow Hill. It is highly visible from the M5 motorway, or the rails, and is a visual reminder that a journey is nearing its end. Or, in my case, the end of one, but an opportunity to begin planning the next.

All photographs by the author

More information

English Heritage – The Jewel Tower – https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/jewel-tower/history/

The Actors’ Church – St Paul Covent Garden – https://actorschurch.org/

Clearwell Caves, Coleford, Gloucestershire – https://clearwellcaves.com/about-us/

St Pancras Old Church – https://stpancrasoldchurch.posp.co.uk/history/church-history/

London Wildlife Trust – Camley Street Natural Park – https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/nature-reserves/camley-street-natural-park

Coal Drops Yard – Kings Cross – https://www.kingscross.co.uk/historic-buildings

Church of St Philip and St Jacob, Bristol – https://centralchurchbristol.org/history