The power of Rugeley

Rugeley has never been considered a pretty town – and it’s not.  It’s the centre of an old mining district, and, like so many of former such towns, now feels neglected and forlorn.
In fact, it is now more famous for the huge power station on its fringes.

There is an odd sense of pride in Rugeleyans; they seem to say, “industrialised is what we were, and what we are - and we don’t worry about it much… why do you?”

Rugeley Roman mystery

No one actually seems to know what this Roman soldier is doing here, on the facade over some shops in Rugeley.  The sculptor is unknown; and the material it is made out of is fibreglass.  Rugeley has no more Roman history significance than any other market town in England.
Most puzzling.

Heritage dilemma

On the outskirts of Rugeley town centre stands the 'Old Chancel' as it is now known. This medieval (12th Century) building forms part of the ruins of the former parish church of the town.  Whilst not exactly derelict, the site is isolated and subject to occasional petty vandalism.
The chancel, which is as big as a squash court only, is permanently closed to access.

What is amazing to think is that its lancet window (in my photo) consists of some rare fourteenth-century stained glass "of a beautiful hue" according to Landor's history. It is protected by a mesh, yes, but....
It's said that we are heritage-crazy in this country (in fact, a bit too fond of the past), but I find it quite bizarre that this glass has not been lifted and transferred to a museum - before it is broken by some kid who is determined to do damage...

No CDs thanks, we're vinyl

Is this the most colourful shop-front in the region? Probably.

Those Old Records, a shop dealing exclusively with vinyl, has an outstanding psychedelic-music section.  Which you might guess from the decoration!        But all eras are well represented - from 1950s jazz to coloured-vinyl punk.

You'll find the shop in Rugeley's Brewery Shopping Arcade, a sort of indoor market.

Open space for all creatures

St Augustine's Field was donated to the people of Rugeley some thirty years ago as an open-space.  It is now used by the rugby club as well as by dog-walkers - which means the players have the unpleasant task of cleaning the pitch of excreta before each match.

It's not a very prepossesing site, being enclosed by a fence on all four sides and having Rugeley Power Station as its view.  But, at least the principle is right.

Deadman in cemetery

I'm afraid I'm one of those who find cemeteries, especially older ones, endlessly entertaining.
Where else could one's sense of irony be reinforced - by finding the grave of Mr Deadman?

Mr Deadman's angel-monument in Rugeley Cemetery is curiously old-fashioned  - you'd have thought it was a late nineteenth century piece, not one made in 1944, which is when Mr Deadman died.

A year of forced remembrance

It has, of necessity, been a year tinged with sadness.  There has been so much written, said and done in connection with the 100th anniversary of the First World War that one can't do anything but be reminded continually of the miserable fact that hundreds of thousands of men - and women - died in seemingly stupid circumstances.

For many communities, it has been hard to be forced to remember the loss of life of ancestors who often died terribly young.
For families, it has been even worse. Here in Rugeley, another military grave remembers not just one young person (who died of his wounds after the war), but a young woman as well, who also died in service (in the Second World War).  Families just have had to bear it.

The criminal Ladies In Linen

This curious tomb at Rugeley – in the graveyard of the old, ruined church of St Augustine – is known as 'The Ladies In Linen'. It shows two sisters side by side in their burial shrouds, which are knotted at both ends.

I can’t say I’ve ever come across a tomb like it before.
Looking up the story, it seems that the law at the time (17th century) insisted that people be buried in shrouds made of wool.  Yet these shrouds are depicted as being clearly of linen.
So, not only did these two indomitable ladies defy the law – but they made sure everyone knew they had! They must have been quite formidable...

Link: St Augustine, Rugeley / This post has been featured on Taphophile Tragics the cemetery-enthusiasts' website

Chancel Primary knot

The Stafford Knot logo is pretty much everywhere in Staffordshire, and why not, as the logo of the county?
It's very often built into any heraldic symbols of any 'official' body. This is the plaque on the side of Chancel Primary School (which has now taken over the building occupied by the old grammar school in the 1930s) in Rugeley. It's right in the centre of the shield.

Rugeley Power sunset

Coal-fired power stations like Rugeley B are not in everyone's good books, but passing by them (and you can get VERY close) you do get a sense of huge-ness. They are very, very large.
Rugeley B is also quite isolated, outside the town, so the open country around it gives great views, especially at sunset.
They used to do tours, but I don't know if they do anymore.

See: Rugeley Power Station in 360