Sutton Cheney to Shenton

 

With only another short journey planned for this morning, an early start was definitely not on the cards. First off though we reversed back to the water point to take on water. Not an easy manoeuvre to do on the Ashby canal, but I succeeded, eventually. With the water topped up we set off for Shenton, and the Battlefield moorings, where there was plenty of space to moor. We had lunch then set off for Shenton. We passed by the church above, we would visit it on our return journey. We were heading to Whitemoors Antiques Centre, which was further into the village.

This is the entrance to Whitemoors in the middle of the photo as we approached it. The centre is in what used to be a farm yard, and apart from the 3 main buildings full of antiques, one of which also has a tearoom, there are 4 containers out in the yard full of bits and pieces.

This part is the main area. In this area we found a rather nice wicker basket which I bought for Jo, it will go well with our 1930’s/40’s dress, especially at the Village at War weekend at Stoke Bruerne.

But the real gem that we found was this painted tin bath, which we now have hanging in the engine room. We will have to do some investigation into the artist who signed it as M. Tongue.

I was rather taken with the picture of the angler, rather unusual. We did notice 3 pieces of Measham for sale, a peardrop teapot, a cottage teapot, and a large jug. After a cup of coffee in the tea room, we set off back to the boat, stopping at the church, which was open, a very rare thing these days.

It is well worth a visit, a very pretty little church inside. The stain glass windows are very beautiful, and in excellent condition. In the churchyard we came across 2 family plots, the Wollaston family who owned Shenton Hall and estate from 1625 until 1940, Shenton Hall is opposite the road from the church, and the Arbuthnott family, who were both related by marriage. Admiral Sir Alexander Dundas Young Arbuthnott, whose daughter Josette Eliza Jane Arbuthnott married into the Wollaston family, was a very important person in the Royal Navy.

Jo is doing further research into the 2 families, and will no doubt post about them on her blog.

This is Shenton Hall as viewed from the churchyard, a rather magnificent building, which is under some restoration work. Unfortunately it is surrounded by a very high wall and gates so it is not easy to photograph, this was the best we could get.

This is the gatehouse to Shenton Hall, the date shown on it is 1629.

We returned to Hadar and first job was to hang the bath tub in the engine room, where it looks very smart.

Keith.