History of the hospital quoted from a sign on the gateway that enters the courtyard:
“Take a moment to imagine coming home to me more than 500 years ago for very little here has changed. Founded by wealthy wool merchant and benefactor William For, I began life in 1509, the same year Henry VIII ascended to the throne…. I wonder did he ever visit during his dissolution of Coventry’s monasteries?
I am proud to be a Grade I listed building and generally considered to be one of the finest examples of 16th century domestic building in England.
I was originally built to house 5 elderly men along with a lady housekeeper but with later endowments I grew to accommodate ii couples all of whom would also receive a weekly allowance. Presently I have 5 residents of “good character” under my roof. along with many of my neighbours I suffered badly during WWII. My matron, her assistant and 6 residents taking shelter in the matron’s chamber all perished when on 14th October 1940 I took a direct hit during an air raid. While searching through the bomb damage Coventry historian John Shelton discovered some 14th century floor tiles, one of which bore the Black Eagle, a design of the Earl of Leofric. It is now believed that even before me a Chapel once stood on this site.
By 1953 I had been resorted, using wherever possible original materials and I remain an attraction to many visitors to the city today.
So as you look through the iron gate into the courtyard you are witnessing the site of a meeting between two of the nation’s great literary figures. Dr Who meets William Shakespeare!! Yes in 2006 David Tennant and his crew filmed and episode right here in my yard.
Who knows what else the future, or the past may hold for me?”
Tags: Almshouses, Coventry, Dr Who, Ford's Hospital, Warwickshire, William Shakespeare
I recently obtained the North Telford Coronation walks booklet and I am hoping to tick off all the walks before the end of 2025.
I started with one of my local walks where I could walk from home. I started the walk from the pedestrian crossing rather than Leegomery Community Centre. Along the way I detoured taking in Apley pool and Leegomery pools extending my walk to around 4 miles.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2025, Apley, Apley Pool, Apley Woods, Bridle Path, Leegomery Pools, Portrait, Red Oak, Self Portrait, Shropshire, Silkin Way, Telford Coronation Walks, Walk 5, Woodhenge, Yew Walk
You might recall that I attempted this walk last Friday (27 June). Due to setting off late and the ominous looking weather that appeared as I was walking I took a shortcut home.
Today, 2nd July 2025, I walked the complete route starting the walk from the nearest place to my home which is the underpass near to Leegomery Pools. I enjoyed the walk in this order because it started and finished on some of the best bits of the route. I took my time and sampled many of the benches that line the walk 
I am not sure what is happening with the historic locks on this route. Not long after they had been (recently) repaired and reinstalled they were walled off with wire barricades and allowed to become completely overgrown! Not the best way to showcase or preserve the towns history.
The photos are in the order I walked the route and from both of my walks.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2025, Hadley, Hadley Locks, Leegomery, Leegomery Pools, Telford Coronation Walks, The Wrekin, Walk No 6
When the North Telford Coronation walk booklet launched a few weeks ago I picked up a copy on launch day. A few days later I walked route No. 5, Leegomery (I will post that walk soon).
Back to today I planned to walk my second Coronation walk from the book. The day ran away with me due to circumstances beyond my control. It was late afternoon before I could set off for a walk. I stuck with my plan to do the Hadley walk starting from the nearest point from my house which is the underpass near Leegomery Pools.
I followed the route until I neared Hadley Cemetery, I was running out of time and there was a dark ominous cloud overhead. I had left my house without a waterproof and didn’t want to get caught out in what might be a thunderstorm. I took a short cut home by crossing the road and walking past Hadley Cemetery towards Leegomery Pools, which joined with the route 6 path but I took a left hand turn before I reached the pools. The left hand path led me to the fastest route home.
I will start the walk again when I have more time complete it. Apart from a couple of teaser photos I will keep todays photos to share when I have completed the walk.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2025, Hadley, Hadley Cemetery, Telford Coronation Walks, Walk No 6
Walking home from my school volunteering I ended up walking into Wellington to catch the last post.
I was supposed to to post the letter in the morning on my way back from a meeting but I forgot to stop on my journey home.
On the way home from my volunteering I had intended to walk to a local post box that has a late afternoon collection. Once again I ended up forgetting and walking home in the opposite direction.
When I remembered my letter I walked to the next post box that I thought would have an afternoon collection. It didn’t and by now I was nearly in Wellington so I walked the extra distance to the main post box with its late afternoon collections. This gave me the perfect opportunity to pop into my opticians to get my glasses adjusted. They have been sliding down my nose during the hot weather.
I returned home via the churchyard where I sat a while near to the rose garden, enjoying the peace and quiet.
Walking to and from school I ended up walking nearly 6 miles.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2025, Forgetfulness, Letter, Post, School Readers, Volunteering
