IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Shipston Road, STAFFORD, ST17 0BW

Both civil and ecclesiastical parishes retain the alternative spelling of the village name. Both were in normal use until the mid 19th century, although Baswich is now used for most purposes.

The community hall for the parish of Berkswich stands outside Image

Salt monument to the north west of the church. Listed Grade II, the Listing describes it as follows: “Monument to Thomas and Sarah Salt, d.1837 and 1840, also Hannah and John, d.1838. Ashlar. Square monument with tracery to panels and cornice with urn; inscription partly illegible.”

Situated in the car park to Holy Trinity Church

Memorials on the east side of the church. Listed Grade II, the Listing describes them as follows: “Group of 6 chest tombs and 4 monuments in 4 rows. Limestone and slate. Row nearest church consists of 2 monuments flanking chest tomb: monument to Matthew Price, d.1835, square monument on moulded plinth with wide cornice with large urn, part missing; square panels with concave corners. Chest tomb, late C18, illegible, square angle balusters and 2 panels to each long side, bowed west end with fielded panel, cornice. Monument to members of the Seckerson family, d.1818-39 and 1877, stepped plinth on wide platform with spear-headed railings remaining to north, top entablature with missing finial; slate panels with concave corners, extra square panel to west side. 2nd row consists of 4 chest tombs: Chest tomb, early C19, square angle balusters and fielded panels, pyramidal cap; worn inscription. Chest tomb to John Lycett, and Catharine Box, d.1810, fluted angle balusters and fielded panels with concave angles. Low chest tomb to Mary Greenwood, d.1805, slab with moulded edges. Chest tomb to members of the Jackson family, d.1787-1817 and later, fluted angle balusters, oval and round panels; west end has 4 lines of verse. 3rd row consists of 2 monuments: monument to Rev. Thomas Greenwood, d.1829, plain plinth in railings with decorative heads, fielded panels and top entablature with broken-off urn, the pieces of which remain. Monument to William Payne, d.1839, plain plinth, recessed angles and entablature with remains of urn; fielded panels. 4th row consists of chest tomb to R Hazeldine, d.1861, which is not of special architectural interest.” The last named is not visible in the picture, being under the trees. The nearest chest tomb is not included in the Listing.

The lych gate. The inscription reads “through the grave and gate of death”, a quotation from the gospel of St Matthew.

Holy Trinity Church, Baswich is the parish church of Berkswich. Although there is mention of Baswich Church in the Domesday Book of 1086, the only surviving part of this early church is found in the north pillar of the chancel arch. The church was rebuilt in 1407 and dedicated to the Holy Trinity, but had to be restored again in 1740 after the 1738 fire which burned down most of the fifteenth century church leaving only the chancel and tower. http://www.search.staffspasttrack.org.uk/engine/resource/default.asp?resource=1946 – Staffordshire Past Track

Part of the Berkswich Parish. There are also a couple of shops fronting Baswich Lane.

Memorials on the south side of the church. Listed Grade II, the Listing describes them as follows: “Group of 3 Ward memorials approx. 5 metres south of Church of Holy Trinity. Chest tomb and 2 headstones: chest tomb to Abraham and Margaret Ward, d.1793 and 1798, and Elizabeth and John, d.1823 and 1824. Ashlar. Pointed arched panels to balusters, oval panels to sides and moulded cap. Headstone to Abraham Ward, d.1726; cartouche with inscription and cherub over. Similar headstone to left to Abraham Ward, d.1733.” As far as I can make out, the last named is lying in the grass in front of the chest tomb.

View from the south east, showing the modern transepts.