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Wesley Street, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST11 9QB

View of the war memorial and St.Peter's parish church, from the car park.

This stone church dates from the 19th century and appears to have a thriving congregation. It is located on Uttoxeter Road in the area once known as Blythe Marsh, a distinct settlement from Blythe Bridge further west. The two have long since coalesced and it is hard to determine where one ends and the other begins but the 'Blythe Bridge' name seems to be generally used for the whole area. Note the banner to the right of the church on the railings of the William Amory Primary School and Nursery which states: 'Let's do it to keep schools open. Book your coronavirus test now'.

For a wider view of the church see Image The archway inscribed 'Wesleyan' was presumably once a door but nowadays entry is on the east side. The board shows a regular Sunday service at 10am.

The grade II listed war memorial commemorates the men and women from the parish of Forsbrook who fell in the two world wars. Designed by Robert Bridgeman and Sons of Lichfield, it was constructed of Whitbed Portland stone and unveiled by Colonel JV Campbell in 1921. The statue at the base is of an infantryman in mourning pose. The area in which it stands is now used as a car park but was originally grassed. To the rear is St Peter's church which was built between 1847 and 1849 to a design by a Mr Barr of London. It was originally intended as a chapel of ease to serve the related settlements of Forsbrook, Blythe Bridge and Blythe Marsh and there were alterations made in 1883, 1908 and 1912. It is in the diocese of Lichfield.

The headstone in St Peter's churchyard leans at a precarious angle but the inscription is legible. It commemorates Sarah Ann Wakefield and her husband George 'station master Blyth Bridge' (sic). They died in 1883 and 1889 respectively. It is fairly unusual for headstones to mention the occupation of the deceased, but in Victorian times the station master would have been a person of substance in the village. Blythe Bridge still has a station but nowadays there are no staff.

This is rather a sad sight lying on the churchyard ground to the rear of St Peter's church. The fallen headstone is pretty much illegible although the names John and Elizabeth can just be discerned together with Martin which looks to have been a surname.

The exuberant design of headstone for the Inskip grave here in St Peter's churchyard seems to have been popular in Victorian times. It commemorates William Inskip of Forsbrook who died in 1863 aged 69 and his wife Sarah who died in 1874 possibly aged 74; their eldest son Stephen, who died in 1862 aged 33, is also included. To the left of that is a newer monument which mentions another Sarah Inskip who died in 1898 - but it does not say how she was related to the others. There are other names on the memorial (with dates in the 1920s) but they are hidden from view.

Unveiled Date: 06th November 1921 https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/13697