| www.brewoodvillage.org.uk | index |
|
Introduction and history |
| part of the Brewood and Coven Parish Community Web Site | |
“Within 130 miles of London there surely
cannot be another spot where the England of the day before yesterday can be
studied so perfectly.
“Brewood consists of half a dozen streets and a market place. Every street contains something interesting to the rambler in this forgotten town. It enjoys the title of town by reason of the market which was granted to its men by Henry III six hundred and sixty-two years ago. The market has disappeared this hundred years, but the lazy, dreamy life of the old place goes on as always. The annual wake is the one excitement of the year, and then there is a brave gathering of the clans from the country round and from over the little river Penk, which is the natural boundary between Stafford and Salop.”
The Famous Brewood Wake, which was held in Medieval times to commemorate St. Mary’s birthday on the Sunday nearest September 8th, is still held, albeit every four years.
Although the population has expanded, Brewood retains its original character
and has been designated a Conservation Area. There is an abundance of listed
buildings: half-timbered old houses and cottages in the
traditional black-and-white style, lie alongside dignified houses of the
Georgian and Queen Anne period. It is difficult to isolate any for special
mention, but Dean Street is particularly appealing, providing a very attractive
setting for the Parish Church of St Mary, the Virgin, and St. Chad.
The village provides a pleasing selection of shops, public houses, restaurants, bistro, tea rooms and take-aways to cater for most needs.
“In one of the streets near the Market Place stands a big roomy house of castellated aspect, which was named by its builder Speedwell Castle, and is so known to this day. It was built by an apothecary with money won upon the Duke of Bolton’s horse Speedwell.” A Corner of Old England - James Penderel Brodhurst, May 1883 . Although upheld by tradition, there is now some doubt as to the accuracy of the latter statement but it is known that the Castle was once used as a provisions store. It is currently divided into flats.