Rosie Wench's Cottage

A slice of sunlight that pierces through the leaves of a tree.

From "shive" (OE) meaning slice.

Coined by poet Gerald Manley Hopkins in 1888.

In use:

I have desired to go Where springs not fail, To fields where flies no sharp and sided hail And a few lilies blow.

Gerald Manley Hopkins.

Our Lady of the Angels and St Peter in Chains, Hartshill, designed by Charles Hansom and built in 1857.

I knew about this place because I'd heard about it on my visits to Hartshill Park, which sits on a Norman hunting ground (hence the name), most of which has mostly never been built on as it's too steep and wooded; the fishponds here were part of the convent attached to the church and they should be seen together.

In 1829, Catholic Emancipation made it possible for Catholics to worship freely and openly, and a mission from Longton (please see here, here and here for that place) was founded in 1838; an early Catholic chapel was built here in 1841, that was replaced by this building in 1857.

The church was partnered with a convent founded by Mother Margaret Hallahan, in one building.

It was lined with tiles from the legendary Minton factory, which was only a mile away and which between 1793 and 1968 decked out countless buildings including the Houses of Parliament, the US Capitol, and churches including St Giles, Cheadle. Minton was One of many nearby industries, including Spode, which drew in Irish immigrants who were the mainstay of the church. (Many of the congregation are now Polish).

Father Grosvenor also donated a Stations of the Cross from Belgium; the whole church has an air that is different to that of other English Gothic churches of the time such as St Giles and St Chad's Birmingham; I agree with Neville Malkin that it "wouldn't look out of place in a French city or large town".

In 1884-5 AE Purdie built a new chancel. and in 1909-10 was renovated by Hardman, Powell & co. of Birmingham (although built in what looks like an old style, it’s very much a product of the industrial age and I think that is good).

They installed stained glass windows, one by Amelie Arnoux in tribute to her father, Joseph, art director at Minton who had donated the tiles in (10). It is now Grade II listed.

JRR Tolkien was also a regular visitor with his son John, who served as the priest here from 1966 to 1987.

Herbert Minton also designed nearby houses which are so well-built that many are still standing; this, along with the nearby hospital (in which i was born!) and universities, make this one of the most sought-after parts of the city.

The convent was shut down in 1982 and is now sheltered housing, hence no pictures of it here, but the church is ongoing.

I only stumbled across this place as, for heritage weekend (also happening 14-15 September 2024 and every September) I had been looking for Holy Trinity Anglican church, which I found to be shut but hope to see soon. As I walked up the hill, I found this place open and was warmly welcomed.

would you rather hot or cold weather (comfort level)? cold.

But in the Summer we can get heatwaves and in the Winter coldsnaps

In hot weather, yes, I drink iced water and have a usb charged fan.

In comfort terms I deal far better with the cold, because one can wrap up in layers and be OK, as long as mobility isn't an issue.

Even with iced water and a fan, humid head is draining, and frankly I dread it.

That though is trivial compared with the fact that especially vulnerable people, the very old and young, those who are sick etc, can die, both from the cold and from heat with particularly high humidity.

My Hubby explained this to me.

When it's hot, we sweat to cool down.

This depends on how well our sweat can evaporate. The higher the humidity, the slower we are able to evaporate sweat and cool down.

What a wonderful idea

But Anti Muslim Hate is something that we can look at.

Islam is (and I heard this said by people who know Islam well) is partly a religion and partly a political ideology.

Now, any religion, any political or philosophical ideology should be open to discussion and criticism when need be.

Whatever it is in Islam that inspired this man's speech needs to be open to being challenged.

In no way should we be giving any indication that we intend to give into this kind of bullying.

And there are hate preachers and those who have committed acts of terror and violent crimes, whilst citing Islam.

We should be free to challenge all of this.

Muslims however are people like any other. Our first approach should be to look at how they are using their faith to move through the world.

I don't know what any Muslim believes in private. But I see how they're using it when interacting with others.

And a Muslim that will treat me as a fellow human being is going to receive the same courtesy in return.