July 22nd – Can there be anything finer than to be in England, in Staffordshire, on a sunny, warm Sunday Evening? I shot over the Chase again, this time over the ancient hill fort of Castle Ring, then dropped into Stonepit Green, and descended to Colton via Stile Cop. Heading out via Blithfield Reservoir, I called in at Hoar Cross, Scotch Hills and Dunstall, returning via Walton on Trent, Croxall and Lichfield. A great ride, and a great way to spend a Sunday evening. A lovely day.
October 2nd – I spun out to Hoar Cross, one of my favourite autumn rides. The church here – next to the hall, but otherwise detached from the village by a mile or more and a very large hill – was built as a memorial.
Built at the behest of the Late Lady Emily Charlotte Meynell-Ingram, the Church of the Holy Angels is a loving and devotional memorial to her late husband, killed while hunting. It stands high above the village overlooking the Needwood Valley, adjacent to Hoar Cross Hall, and it is said that one of the carved angels looking down from the beautifully decorated stonework is carved in the likeness of the unfortunate hunter. This church and grounds are a hidden gem and deserve a greater appreciation.
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