Apparently, Court Farm in West Felton is not the original one which was it appears demolished during the 1800s.

There also used to be the Old Hall at West Felton which was a fine black and white house situated in its own grounds. In its later days as it was probably gradually decaying, part of this magnificent house was used as a changing area by the local cricket club.

Close to West Felton is the small hamlet of Eardiston. When journeying in this area during the 1950s you would certainly notice the blacksmith’s place of business which until 1894 was a maltkiln where I assume barley or other grain was soaked in water, allowed to sprout and then allowed to dry in a kiln used in brewing. Also at Eardiston until about 150 years ago, copper was mined. While close by there was once a race course. It is interesting to note certain famous bloodstock breeders of all those years ago used this course to race their horses.

In the area towards Tedsmore Bank on this 1950s journey was observed a small shaft mound where close to this mound could be seen that there had been workings years previously. This copper mine at Eardiston at one time was to be a most viable concern in the area. However it is many years since any work was carried out at this mine. There is a most prominent area of sandstone in this locality, which not only enfolds Eardiston but also Ruyton-XI-Towns, Grig Hill, Boreatton and Grinshill. It is small wonder that many of the older houses in these areas are built of sandstone.

The journey then continued towards Shelvock Hill but before that was noticed there was a dried up ‘bed’ where it appeared a lake had once been. There was however a stream which separated to flow in two different directions, one would flow into the River Perry close to Wykey while the other stream would run towards Pentre on its journey into the much larger River Severn.

The road travellers were under the impression that there may have been an old settlement or camp on Shelvock Hill many years ago. On Tedsmore Bank they commented on how they observed a magnificent view of the Shropshire plains and the hilly country beyond that. From personal experience on a clear day I can verify there are excellent views of Clive Church and Grinshill from this location.

Further on during their journey more than fifty years ago, our ‘intrepid’ motorised explorers reached Pradoe where they encounter a private church which was stated as being constructed by the Kenyon family during the 1800s. This church was apparently utilised as a burial facility/funerals etc just for the deceased in the immediate area of Eardiston and thereabouts. The travellers noticed a monument dedicated to the memory of two brothers and their sister situated in the churchyard of Pradoe Church. This memorial stone was said to be of a grey granite base with a cross of wrought iron assembled by a relation of the deceased brothers and sister. The oldest brother was killed in action while serving in the 1914-18 war in France.

After seeing the sights at Pradoe Church the travellers decided to return home but it was not quite dark so they made another decision to turn the car in the direction of Knockin where apparently there was once a castle by the church there. This was a castle built by the Normans all those years ago. It was during the twelfth century and instigated by John Le Strange whose family once lived in this stronghold. His descendants apparently resided at the castle for hundreds of year’s thereafter.

In 1955 the church at Knockin was said to be around 800 years old. The reason it was built was because it was a chapel for the then castle at Knockin. Around the church was mentioned the wall. The stone that makes up this wall was it appears taken from the castle when it was demolished. Knockin was stated to be a key border village in years gone by. The castle built here in 1160 was very important insomuch as playing an important part of protecting the English from the Welsh and it was the site of many skirmishes etc between them. However, in 1212 the castle was occupied by the Welsh and unfortunately torn down. The castle was later reconstructed and in 1228 the Welsh forces of Llewellyn attacked the stronger Knockin castle rebuilt of stone from Nesscliffe but were repulsed while the castles at Montgomery and Kinnerley succumbed to his attacks. When in 1284 England and Wales were united, these border castles such as the one at Knockin were no longer of any strategic importance and they eventually became remnants of a hostile past between Wales and England.

Over the years, the spelling of Knockin was changed quite a few times. It was once known as Le Knokyn, Knokin, Knucking or Knuckin. Come to think of it I have heard many people pronounce it as ‘Knuckin’!

The explorers then headed for Woolston and viewed St Winefred’s Well before journeying in the direction of Maesbury which was they said an old settlement when the actual Doomsday Book was originally compiled. An old paint mill was mentioned which was water powered and later to become a saw mill. On this 1950s trip these travellers had covered in the region of 18 miles in six and a half hours on one Boxing Day in the 1950s.

I have taken most of this account from that of a JM Pearce who had related this article in an April 1955 edition of The Shropshire Magazine. His two companions on this exploratory journey were an engineering friend at home on vacation from Chile and another friend from nearby St Martins.