Church Broughton

My personal challenge for this round of Miss Jenny Matlock's alphabe-Thursday is to post about a location within the borders of my own county of Derbyshire, UK, for each letter of the alphabet.

Find the letter to see where I've been.

C is for Church Broughton

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CHURCH BROUGHTON, a parish in the hundred of Appletree, in the county of Derby, 10 miles to the W. of Derby. It is situated on a branch of the river Dove, and contains the township of Sapperton. The North Staffordshire railway passes within a short distance. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Lichfield, worth £228, in the patronage of B. Broadhurst, Esq."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)

Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]

I'm sure the 'living' is worth a great deal more than £228 today and unfortunately, the North Staffordshire Railway is no more, but Church Broughton is still a delightful place to visit.

On the edge of the village is the local primary school.

This is for children aged between 5 and 11 years. It's a small school (though by no means the smallest in Derbyshire), having just three classes (one infant and two junior). From here, most 11 year old children will transfer to the John Port Secondary school in Etwall, with a few opting for Queen Elizabeth Grammar in Ashbourne.

Right next door, is the field for football and other outdoor games; for the use of both the school and the community.

Moving further into the village is the pub. I haven't been here for a little while, but the last time I came, I enjoyed a very good meal. The atmosphere inside is pleasant too.

A little further on again is the Methodist Chapel; a small brick built church constructed in 1828.

While, nearing the other end of the village, there is the Anglican church of St Michael and All Angels.

On the top of the church tower, there is a weather vane. For many years this church was presided over by clergy belonging to the Auden family; relatives to the poet WH Auden. Legend has it that, whilst visiting one day, WH Auden decided to amuse himself by using the weather vane as target practice, eventually succeeding in scoring a hit.

Unfortunately, I didn't learn this story until after I had taken a trip up the tower, but if I zoom in a bit and you look carefully...

...is that a dint in the middle of the cockerel's belly?

While I was in the church, I was fortunate enough to bump into one of the wardens who had come to repair some cracked concrete in the churchyard. He showed me all round the church, told me a little of its history (including the W.H. Auden story) and took me up to the top of the tower.

I took loads of photos - too many for one post - so tomorrow, I will continue with the rest; photos of the church, the bells, the clock workings and the views.

But maybe I'll just leave you with one view from the top...

...looking over the roof of the nave, towards the old and new vicarages and the countryside beyond.