Bishops in my house!

Friday 14th October 2016 - High Kinnerton, near Chester.

After a significant day yesterday we celebrated a more significant day today.  It is the 950th anniversary of Richard de Vernon beating Harold at the Battle of Hastings, well he did help William.  

We made our last move before we go home on Sunday.  We had chosen Chester as our last stop and had booked a CL about 5 miles out.

I needed to complete the Vernon pilgrimage though before we got there.  Whilst we have toured the great houses of the Vernon family I needed to visit the first property that started it off when William the Conqueror came over with Richard de Vernon.  William gave Richard Shipbroke Castle and land around it near Northwich.  I knew that Shipbroke Castle no longer existed and Shipbrook Farm was now in its place but I wanted to visit anyway.  The farm is open to the public for the sale of organic vegetables and there is a cafe and children's play area etc.

Here is the Farm, some old buildings but not exactly a stately home!

Here is a stone that came from the original castle.....isn't it exciting.  I don't know what it is but it looks old!

We also knew that Richard de Vernon gave the neighbouring Whatcroft Hall to his younger son.  We thought we would walk the half mile or so along a lane to see Whatcroft Hall, not knowing what would be there.  We found a Hall behind a metal gate and modern security keypad.  The Hall was quite distant but I could see it looked like it might have been built around the 1800 period.  A car was driving out towards the gate and I stopped the car and spoke to the lady occupant.  I told her that we were researching the Vernon family history and she seemed to know the Hall had previously been owned by Vernons who came across with William the Conqueror.  I asked who lived there now.  I was surprised to hear that the current occupant is John Bishop, the comedian!  We had a little chuckle and asked if we could get a bit closer to the Hall for a photo.  She said we could go along an adjacent path for a closer photo.

This was as close as I could get.  I should have attacked from this point and ousted the pretender from my rightful property but instead of Conquering I went conkering......

There were the best conkers I have seen for a long time.

I was quite made up that John Bishop was in the Hall that stood on the ground that was once owned by the Vernons.  It is believed that this branch of the Vernons went on to live in Hanbury Hall, near Droitwich Spa.  This Hall was actually built in 1780 by James Topping who was a barrister and Member of Parliament.  I'm not sure when the Vernons relinquished the property and what happened in between.

With a spring in our step we walked back to Shipbroke Farm, had a cup of tea and a scone and then continued on our way.  We called at Cheshire Oaks shopping centre and managed to avoid buying anything.  Janice hadn't been previously and wanted to see what was there.

In the mid afternoon we arrived at our new CL south of Chester and settled in.  We had a walk into the local village and came back to the van for the evening.  It turns out we are in Wales!