The ups and Downs of Epsom...

Yesterday from Eileen's, we walked the 45 mins up to the Rubbing House by the Epsom Downs racecourse where we rendezvoused with Mike and Liz for a bit of Lunch and to extend her 'special' birthday celebration a little bit more. 

More French connections...

When we looked around St.Martin's churchyard in  Epsom last week we noticed that there were five tombs representing different generations of one family - the Garlands -and we wondered what their connection to the town was.After a little research we found out that one family member,Nathaniel, had played an important part in the community and had links,albeit ones he may have preferred not to have had,with France.

Here is an extract from an Epsom history site

"Nathaniel married Anna Walter Cope on 3 March 1814 at Orleans in France and thereby hangs a tale. After attending school at Eton, Nathaniel Garland had gone on to Christchurch, Oxford, as a gentleman commoner to matriculate on 15 November 1793. Instead of waiting to take his degree, about 1797 he embarked upon the Grand Tour and was still travelling around Europe in 1803. Unfortunately for him, the Napoleonic War broke out which resulted in him being 'detained' (detanu) - for the next 11 years! - during which time he is reported to have paid 136,000 francs in 'fines' extorted by his captors. Incarcerated about the same time had been the Cope family including a 14 year old daughter, Anna Walter. They appear to have been interned together at Valenciennes and, when the groom was 39 and bride 25, were joined in matrimony by a fellow detenu (an attested copy of the official translation of the marriage settlement between Nathaniel and 'Miss Anna Cope of Paris', dated 26 February 1814, is held by Surrey History Centre under ref. K90/21/1). It is unclear when the newly-weds gained their release but their son Edgar Walter Garland, was born in England: he was delivered on 26 December 1814 and baptised at St Mary's, St Marylebone Road, London, on 20 January 1815. Woodcote Grove is mentioned in Pownall's history of Epsom - "The next seat worthy of notice in this place, is that described by Mr. Toland, as 'the Grove', but now called Garland's, after the family in whose possession it has been many years; and is now the residence of Nathaniel Garland, Esq., late high sheriff of Essex. It is situated at the north-west end of Chalk Lane, and is a handsome brick building, surrounded by about fifty acres of land, well timbered, and finely undulating." The demise of the later Nathaniel Garland was recorded at Upper Berkeley Street West on 3 January 1845. Two years later, the widowed Anna obtained a royal licence to resume her maiden name of Cope, 'in obedience to the will of her grand-uncle', in order to inherit family estates at Drummilly, Ireland: she lived on until 1867, dying in Armagh aged 77."

Church on Sunday...Epsom..St.Martin of Tours

You know I love a coincidence, so you can imagine our surprise when deciding to have a look at the one of the churches here in Epsom, to find it dedicated to none other than St. Martin de Tours. The site here in Epson has been host to place of worship since Saxon times.The Doomsday Book of 1085-86 highlighted the existence of two churches in the area one of which would have been a forerunner to St.Martin's.

The 'medieval' church consisted of a short nave of about 50 feet with side aisles, a south porch and a north west tower.The 'new' church was built in 1824 in a 'Gothic' style but retained the old tower (15th century). The original seating would have been boxed pews.

 The very ornate alter sits underneath a partially stained glass window - apparently unfinished due to lack of funds - and behind a rood screen.

A view of the side chapel under the organ loft.

 

Two little stained glass windows in the small otherwise simple right-hand side chapel.

Two views of the impressive organ loft.

The pulpit is very reminiscent of the ones we see in France. 

Looking to the rear of the church and the 15th century baptismal font.

Not surprisingly there is no hint of 'Joan' even with the French connection.

The ancient graveyard surrounding the church is now 'closed' for burials...

but there is a pretty little garden of remembrance where 'ashes' can be placed.

The plain leaded windows of the nave are attractive in there simplicity.

Epsom...salt of the earth!

Staying at Pauline's sister's in Epsom for a couple of days before catching the ferry back over to France. Here are a couple of shots of the high street.

Was checking out if Epsom Salts actually connected to the town and found this information on this French website : "In the early 1600's, a farmer at Epsom Surrey England found his cow's drinking water healed scratches and rashes. Soon, the locals started to talk and the water became known for its healing properties and it was discovered that the healing properties were due to the mineral magnesium sulfate in the water. Named after the town, Epsom salt was prepared by boiling down the mineral waters found at the springs that arise where the non-porous London clay meets the porous chalk of the North Downs. Today Epsom Salt is obtained mostly from mining operations."