Possibly by Samuel Baldwin 2 – A coach excursion to east Worcestershire
When
Where
Worcestershire
Start point: Worcester Parkway Station
At last, the second chapter of the “Possibly by Baldwin” odyssey.
To recap, a paper was written about 30 years ago, attempting to attribute certain monuments to Baldwin’s Gloucester workshop. Sadly, there has been dispute over the list, and we are now more likely to see “Possibly” or “Probably” by Samuel Baldwin in “The Buildings of England” series of books than anything more positive. That doesn’t stop us having a look at what has been listed – perhaps someone might find the interest (and the time) to have a go at a paper!
We will assemble at Worcester Parkway Station, to meet the coach for an 11:00am departure.
Worcestershire Parkway station was opened in 2020, providing a two-level station where the London to Worcester line crosses the Birmingham to Bristol line. It has a huge car park which offers a day parking rate (was £4.50 in September 2025) for Saturdays and Sundays. There are toilet facilities near to the entrance. We will meet by the fully-glazed entrance doors, inside or outside depending upon the weather!
The station is served directly by Great Western Railway from London Paddington (via Reading and Oxford), and Cross-Country Trains offer direct services from Bristol, Cardiff and Leeds (via Birmingham New Street). If you live north of Leeds or south-west of Bristol, there may be options of through Cross-Country services calling at Worcestershire Parkway, if you live elsewhere in the country, then connections may be made with Cross-Country trains at Birmingham New Street (journey time just under half an hour) or Great Western Railway at Reading or Oxford.
Please refer to www.nationalrail.co.uk , or train operator websites for details of journeys and ticketing.
The coach will then take us to visit the following:
Spetchley, All Saints. In the grounds of Spetchley Park, a notable large garden attraction. The south chapel contains a collection of monuments, the most notable being a monument having a family connection to the only known Baldwin documented monument.
We move on to Elmley Castle St Mary. The collection here includes a large Baldwin suggested monument of unusual and distinctive design.
After taking a lunch break in Evesham, we will visit Norton and Lenchwick, St Egwin. Two of the three larger monuments in the collection here are suggested as by Baldwin. As well as other monuments, there are some sets of funerary armour.
We will finish our tour at the church of Cropthorne, St Michael. St Michaels monument collection includes another two Baldwin suggested monuments, and something very special from about 1200 ad. There is also something incredibly special from before the Norman Conquest.
At the end of this visit, the coach will return us to Worcestershire Parkway Railway Station, expected to arrive at between 5:30 and 6pm.
The cost to CMS members is £40.00 (£45.00 to non-members). This includes the cost of a coach, donations to or fees for participating churches (lunch is not included). You may contact Robin by email at cmsvisitsrd@gmail.com
(images by Dr E Blood and R Draper)
