We enjoyed a pleasant stroll around a part of Bridgnorth that we hadn’t explored before. Unfortunately the church wasn’t open. We will have to try again another day.

St Leonard’s Church dates from the early 13th century, and was built to cater for a population that had now expanded beyond the castle bailey – although it was much rebuilt in the 1840s and 1860s. During the Civil War there was a fierce battle in the churchyard and many Royalist troops, including their leader, Colonel Billingsley, were killed.

The small black and white house as you enter the Close on the left once belonged to Richard Baxter (1615 – 1691), one of the founding fathers of non-conformity and an influential religious writer. He started his career as assistant priest of St Leonard’s.

The town’s former grammar school was founded in 1503 and was located within the church. Its later premises were the two storey red brick building, on the left, whic was built in 1785. Among the schools famous pupils was Thomas Percy, who became Chaplain to George III and Bishop of Dromore, County Down. The girl’s High School was established in 1887 and its boarding house is now the offices of the Town Council, on the right of the Close. the two schools merged in 1909 to become what is now Bridgnorth Endowed School, Northgate.

The unmistakeable six-gabled building to the right was also part of the former grammar school: one section was for the school’s scholars, the centre part for the headmaster and the third for the priest of St Leonard’s.*

*info from a signboard in front of St Leonard’s Church

Some special moments and memories from 2022, one from each month of the year. The photographs are taken from a calendar that I created for myself and due to the printing deadline, December’s photograph is also from November.

1. The Inclined Plane, Coalport, 2. Lichfield Cathedral, 3. Local Pathway, 4. Llangollen Canal Nr Chirk Aqueduct, 5. violet’s Tea Room Bridgnorth, 6. Waddesden Manor, 7. Tewkesbury, 8. Sandringham Church, 9. Attingham Park, 10. The Long Walk, Windsor, 11. The Guild Chapel, Stratford-upon-Avon, 12. Stratford-upon-Avon

In the morning I took my mum to visit her osteopath to see if he could sort out her back and ankle problems. Whilst I was waiting for her to finish her treatment Mr C texted me to say my recently ordered prescription sunglasses were ready and should he bring them home for me. Mr C was in the opticians picking up his own newly ordered spectacles but I declined his offer in case my sunglasses needed some adjustment.

After my mum’s appointment I collected my sunglasses which are perfect, I can see things in much more clarity than I have been able to for some time (still awaiting my non-sunglasses prescription to arrive). Unfortunately the same could not be said for Mr C’s new prescription, he had to take them back. He now awaits the return of his glasses with lenses more suited to his requirements.

The unexpected optician visits led to a late lunch leaving me unable to join one of the planned walk events for ‘Get Telford Walking’.

After lunch I wanted to walk and Mr C wanted cake. The two desires were combined in a trip to Bridgnorth where we shared a slice of blueberry and lemon cake on the outside terrace of Violets Tea Room before an enjoyable walk around the town.

We finished our weekend shop and dropped off a few items for mum before setting off for some fun in the sun. We thought we might lunch in Apley Farm shop on our way to Bridgnorth. When we arrived the café was full, with only outdoor seating available. It was lovely and sunny but far too windy to enjoy eating lunch outside so we continued our journey to Bridgnorth where we enjoyed lunch ‘with a view’ in Violets Tea Room.

I chose a a warmed lemon scone with butter and my lunchtime drink of choice, Elderflower Presse. After our order had been taken Mr C received a message from a friend. “I know it is short notice but I am available for a board game tonight”. Mr C replied that we were available. What game would I choose…

After lunch, it was lovely to step away from Bridgnorth’s  busy streets and enjoy a quiet walk around the perimeter of the Castle Gardens, taking in panoramic views over Bridgnorth, including the rugby pitch which looked more like a swimming pool after the recent rainfalls and flooding.

After walking around the perimeter I stepped Inside the tranquil Castle Gardens and I wondered how the tower keep (all that remains of the Castle), defying the laws of gravity, is still standing!

We returned to the town centre where Mr C and I had a separate random encounter with one of his friends. The street was rather crowded  with people bustling everywhere. I ploughed my way through to a quiet area beyond the market stall, thinking Mr C was behind me. When I turned round I realised that it was a couple following in my footsteps rather than Mr C.

I looked back down the street and couldn’t see him anywhere even when the street was clear of people. I reached for my phone to call him when suddenly I heard a voice next to me saying ‘he is down there’. When I looked to see who had spoken I realised it was that friend of Mr C, we had a brief chat and a hug before he had to rush off.

After our Bridgnorth excursion we enjoyed ‘Fine Dining’ followed by a lovely evening that included the aforementioned board gaming with our friend. We played Alhambra followed by Exploding Kittens!