Marchington, Staffordshire

The Fosters

My ex-husband's great-grandparents were Thomas Buckley and Mary Cope/Foster, known as Mary Ellen. Mary was the half sister of the Thomas Foster mentioned by the previous member. She was born out of wedlock to Phoebe Cope but they share the same father i.e. John Foster. My mother-in-law, who unfortunately died in May, was always talking about Marchington and the surrounding area.... [more]

Marchington Woodlands

My grandfather was born in Marchington Woodlands (Thomas Foster) at Knypersley Hall in 1871 which his father John Foster was renting until about 1905 when following 2 years of cattle foot and mouth (no compensation in those days) he had to give up and move to Uttoxeter and take work as a sawyer. It was said to have broken John's... [more]

Uttoxeter Living Memories

Gazing up the street past Wilks Teenage Fashions (left) with the Elkes Cafe above, we can see Barclays Bank. This was built in 1921 on the site of Huggins & Chambers, an ironmonger's. The ironmonger's sold Witchem's firelighters among other products - these must have contributed to the conflagration when the building was burned to the ground in 1920.

Uttoxeter Living Memories

The Old Talbot was built in 1527, and is reputed to be the oldest building in Uttoxeter. It survived two fires which badly damaged the town in 1596 and 1672. The coat of arms on the inn sign depicts its name: a talbot, or hound, was the crest of the Talbots, Earls of Shrewsbury. Recent renovations have revealed more of the timber- framed structure.

Uttoxeter Living Memories

In 1642 Charles I was confronted on the approach to the bridge by a contingent of Staffordshire residents asking him to come to terms with Parliament. He ignored their pleas. The new A50 bypass has meant that the bridge is now an attractive stop on the Staffordshire Way.