IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Cranham, GLOUCESTER, GL4 8HP

Part of the interior of this attractive pub. More photos:- Image

The Black Horse is one of many pubs in Gloucestershire that at one time sold West Country Ales, and still retains the WCA ceramic plaque. This brand eventually became part of the Whitbread empire, and around 1967 they discontinued the provision of these plaques. The one at the Black Horse is immediately to the left of the main entrance. More photos:- Image

This sign is to the right of the main entrance. More photos:- Image

The sign is held by quite an impressively ornate bracket. Unfortunately the sign itself has suffered from weathering, with small areas of paint missing. More photos:- Image

An excellent village pub tucked away in a back street, which also does good food. The building was originally two cottages, and dates from the 17th century. The pub has been at this location since about 1841. Previously there was a Black Horse, since the beginning of the 18th century, on the main village road, opposite the Village Hall. Sometime between 1835-1855 it became the Potters Arms, but later it closed. The building it was in is now part of the property known as the Old House. More photos:- Image Image Image Image

Looking along the lane to Image What looks like litter in the foreground is a remaining patch of snow.

The name on the gate from the lane to the garden. This is the cottage where Gustav Holst is believed to have written the music "Cranham", for the well-known carol "In the Bleak Midwinter". More here:- Image The cottage is private property with no public access, but Holst's birthplace at Cheltenham has been turned into a museum. The public can visit that and learn much about his life and music.

The composer Gustav Holst (1874-1934), who was born in Cheltenham, is best remembered today for his brilliant orchestral suite "The Planets". He is remembered too, for the tune he called "Cranham", to which he set the words of the poem "In the Bleak Midwinter", and which appeared in 1906. The poem was written by Christina Georgina Rossetti some time before 1872, but not published until 1904, many years after her death. In Holst's setting it became a very popular Christmas carol. Although there have been several other settings, only that of Harold Darke, written a few years after "Cranham", has rivalled Holst's in popularity. Holst lived at "Midwinter Cottage" for a period early in the 20th century, although it did not carry that name at that time. It is widely though that he composed "Cranham" while living there. Subsequently the cottage was re-named "Midwinter Cottage" to commemorate this. The village of Cranham will be the starting point of a 35 mile footpath, called the Gustav Holst Way, which will take in places associated with the composer. Signing is well under way and hopefully work will be completed during 2011. Image

The road approaching Cranham from the west descends a 1 in 8 hill before entering the village.

On the left is The Old House, dating from the late C17 and early C18. The listed building description at http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-132711-the-old-house-cranham makes use of the word "off-centre" twice; there is a pleasing asymmetry about the design. Further up the road is the junction shown in Image