A visit to Medlicott
by Colonel Henry Edward Medlicott
On 16th April 1936, we arrived at Longmynd Hotel, Church Stretton, in the evening, and next day we walked via the Burway to Pole Bank, (the highest point on the Longmynd) down to Medlicott, where we called on inhabitants of the different farms. Mr. Thomas of the Upper Hall Farm, was as curious as ever, and Mr. Lewis, of the Hall Farm, gruff and suspicious. Mr. and Mrs John Andrews, of Lower Hall Farm, were delighted to see us. I gather that the upper farm still belongs to a Medlicott of Eaton, whereas the Hall Farm belongs to Lewis, who I presume purchased it from the Adyes Scotts. The Lower Farm has never changed hands since certainly 1200. Andrews’ mother was a Medlicott, and she was also connected with Coates, the next farm, the present inhabitants being Rawson. Andrews also told me of a Mrs. Marston of Horderley who had the copy of a family pedigree. I saw her next day but the pedigree was entirely an Andrews one, although they were intermarried with Medlicotts. Her old Aunt was a Miss. Andrews. She told me that in years gone by there was a blind Medlicott at Medlicott, who used to walk to Asterton every Christmas to eat his Christmas Goose. He was a very interesting character.
After leaving Medlicott we lunched in the valley below, and went on to Coates and along the Hillside to Rattlinghope, and after a mile turned up a lane to the right, past a farm and on to the moor, the track leading us up past Wildmoor Pool and on to the shooting box, and straight on towards Church Stretton; there we deviated from the path down past the main reservoir into the Cardingbridge Valley and thence home. It was a perfectly delightful walk and took about six hours. The wind was cold but the sun was hot and the view perfect.
In the afternoon we went to Stokesay Castle, about six miles away and saw this delightful old place, which is well known.
Next day we motored through Horderley to Adston Hill, beyond Wentnor and from there sent the car home. We then walked into Wentnor and explored the Churchyard and the Church, where there are many Medlicott memorials, especially inside the Church tombstones bearing somewhat crude representations of the crest and coat-of-arms. Full reference to these can be found elsewhere. We left Wentnor by the road leading south and shortly turned off by the pump across the fields to Asterton Prolley Moor and went straight up the hill (a very steep climb) to where the new Gliding Station has been established, and saw a glider in the air at the time. The day was again delightful, but the wind very cold and after a quick sandwich lunch we walked straight home for the Hotel over the three high peaks and down the intervening gullies, reaching home about 4 o’clock after a somewhat strenuous walk.
Next day, Sunday, I motored to Wentnor to the Church where the service was really delightful, being old fashioned and simple. The Incumbent is Mr. Norcock, who came from Plymouth. I had a chat with him and he was very friendly. He and his wife told me that the inhabitant of the small cottage halfway up the hill from Medlicott is now dead, and the cottage empty, and that some Medlicott had considered taking it but had given up the idea.
Anyone visiting these parts should get the 1″ Ordinance Map, and possibly the 6″ to 1 mile map also. There is a delightful chapter on the Longmynd in “Through the Highlands of Shropshire on Horseback” by M. Weale, Heath Granton, 1935.