A glimpse into history

SIX years ago elation swept through Wellesbourne when viewers of the BBC’s Restoration Village voted for a former blacksmith’s workshop to win a nationwide competition for £1 million.

The memory of winning is very clear to all those who have since been involved in the Chedham’s Yard project - but much has changed between that moment and the present day.

A team of dedicated volunteers, who formed the Friends of Chedham’s Yard group, have given up much of their time to painstakingly clean and catalogue around 4,500 objects at the former wheelwrights’ and blacksmiths’ workshops.

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A charitable trust has been set up, a garden and education centre created - and now the vision outlined in 2006 is soon to become a reality.

Reporter Sundari Sankar went to see how much progress had been made as the project nears its completion.

WHAT IS CHEDHAM’S YARD?

Chedham’s Yard is the site of a blacksmith’s and wheelwright’s workshop dating from the early 19th century.

The yard was run by five generations of the Chedham family, the last of whom, Bill Chedham, still lives in Wellesbourne.

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Thomas Chedham was the first to run the yard during the 1840s and it was passed down through the family, right up to Bill, who carried on with repair works on wheels until 1964, when the last threshing machine was taken to the yard and dismantled.

The site now belongs to the Chedhams Yard Trust, which is continuing to apply for funding for further education projects.

Volunteers have been working with the artefacts since 2006”, says heritage project officer Emma Banks.

“It has been such a long process - when we have got all the objects back where they were found, it will be a real achievement.”

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Work on placing the cleaned artefacts back in their rightful position is beginning this week - and, like much of the rest of the work at Chedham’s Yard, the job will be done by volunteers.

Emma says: “We have a really strong core of people. This would not have been able to happen without them.

“The nice thing about Chedham’s Yard is that it’s not only about history, but also about people and gardening.”

She shows me a small garden where bulbs have been planted and fruit trees, turfing, a picnic area, a metal arch and vegetables such as onions, garlic and broad beans planted by the Wellesbourne Allotment Association are to come.

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As well as two workshops where people will be able to see exactly how the wheelwrights and blacksmiths who worked there operated, there is an education centre that will double up as a cafe, a film studio, a children’s trail and interactive exhibitions.

And there are more plans, besides all that. Emma says: “We have already booked children’s events in here on every Saturday between June and October, doing a variety of things, such as bug hunts and kite-making.

“We’re also planning to get art groups exhibiting in here and hopefully in the summer, people can sit outside the cafe here and enjoy some tea and cake.”

Not to mention the costumed tour guides who will help bring the site to life for visitors.

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Solar panels, a compost toilet and water harvesting system make the yard environmentally aware - in fact, the trust is now applying for a Green Business Award.

But setting all these features aside, the workshops themselves offer a fascinating step back in time and display just how hard all those involved have been working.

Emma points out examples of graffiti on the walls that was written by people who were working there from the 1920s to the 1950s, such as comments about the weather and the vegetables grown at the site.

She says: “Every feature, right down to the nails in the walls, is just as it was.

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“As well as tools, the volunteers found family pictures, lamps, lanterns, glass bottles, bracelets and many other personal objects.

“You can really imagine these people leading their lives right here in this village.”

Heather Cox, who has lived in Wellesbourne for more than 40 years, has been volunteering for the project shortly after it began and is now a trustee and chairman of the Friends group.

She says: “When I first walked into the yard seven years ago, I had a feeling that this could grow. There is a special feeling here.

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“I love the place and wanted it to be restored so other people can see it - particularly children.

“It’s really important to keep the history of this alive. Many children won’t even know about wheelwrights.”

Now retired, Mrs Cox used to work as an assistant teacher to children with special needs, so the education aspect of the project is very appealing to her. She has already been taking artefacts to schools in the area as she is keen for children to feel as excited about the venture as she as and look forward to it opening.

She says: “I have given up a lot of time to the project, but I’m really enjoying it and can’t wait to see it complete.”

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Jeremy Wright MP, whose Kenilworth and Southam constituency includes Wellesbourne, has been to visit the yard on several occasions throughout its progression.

Pleased to return again, he says: “There has certainly been a huge change since the last time I was here, which reflects the dedication and commitment of all those involved with the project.

“A huge amount of energy has gone into restoring Chedham’s Yard, so it’s exciting that things are now near completion.”

Mr Wright believes the site has the ability to draw visitors from around the country.

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He says: “It would not have won a nationwide competition if it did not have the sort of appeal to bring people in from outside the area.

“It’s great for Wellesbourne and Warwickshire. But also it’s important that the people who live here can see what’s on their doorstep.

“The fact that these people are willing to give up so much of their time shows an interest in local heritage.

“It’s a pleasure to see and I congratulate all those involved.”

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Chedham’s Yard in Church Walk, Wellesbourne, will open on June 16 and will from then on be open to the public every Saturday, while large groups can arrange to visit on alternative days.

Visitors will be required to book their visit in advance, with the bookings website due to go live next month.

The site will be entirely managed by volunteers and the trust is still looking for people to get involved. Anyone wishing to find out more should email Ms Banks at [email protected]

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