Those look like ornamental carvings but I remember my Dad showing me cuts on the walls where he said that swords were sharpened in the Civil War.This is on one side of the church I lived on Moat Lane in Yardley for my first 23 years went to Sunday school there
How interesting. Is anything known about the feature ? My first instinct was that the patterned courses were originally the top of the wall and the darker bricks being a later addition to raise the height of the wall. Although I’m not sure. Viv.This is on one side of the church I lived on Moat Lane in Yardley for my first 23 years went to Sunday school there
This is the same story I was told more than 60 years ago.From an early age of living in Yardley i was told that the slots in sandstone of St Edburgha`s church were made in the Civil War by Cromwells Soldiers sharpening their swords before they captured Birmingham and after they had defeated the Royalists in the city of Worcester, Yardley was still part of Worcestershire then and Hay Mills, Tyseley and Yardley and surrounding districts were only passed into Birmingham, Warwickshire in 1911.
I assume you have seen the burial records. I would contact the church and ask if they have grave plans which would show the site of the grave.Hello I found out that my 4th grest grandfather Jonas Bowen (d 1867) and his wife Esther Prime Bowen (d 164) are buried here. Does anyone know how I could find a phot of gravestone or where to find an index? I would love to visit and see where they are buried.
thank you
Karen
I took a very similar photo I was told much the same tale by the vicarThis is the view on William Dargue site. He attributes the cuts to arrow sharpening.
thank you I have emailed them I am appalled if they have bene landscapedI assume you have seen the burial records. I would contact the church and ask if they have grave plans which would show the site of the grave.
St Edburgha's Church Yardley
stedburghasyardley.com
Be warned - I have just read an article which suggests the graveyard no longer has gravestones and has been "landscaped".
I willOn street view it doesn't look as if there are gravestones visible. Do let us know what you find out.
hi brumbird i agree with janice...i have also looked at various years on street view and can not see any headstones either....thinking back to when i visited the church about 7 years ago i cant recall seeing any headstones...although there should be a plan of the graveyard i just cant think why a working church would remove all the headstones and would be most interested to find out the reason for doing so...good luckthank you I have emailed them I am appalled if they have bene landscaped
Thank you I must try and get the bookReference "In the midst of Life" by Joe McKenna.
The churchyard was closed in 1883 after the Yardley Cemetery was opened.burials did continue in established graves upto 1935. In 1927 the ground was transferred to the keeping of the Parks Committee.
(Jan posted while I was typing,) I wasn't sure if the stones had been laid around the walls but thanks to Jan that has been answered.
rosie.
thank you I will contact themI bought it some years ago from Birmingham Library.
Birmingham City Council Library Services, ISBN 0/7093/0188/X.
It's only 55 pages but is very useful, it was only £3.50 at the time!
rosie.
I have had the following reply from the parish administrator - so hoping they are on the plan.On street view it doesn't look as if there are gravestones visible. Do let us know what you find out.