Turvey Village - Virtual Tour - Part 4

For many years the field opposite the Rectory housed a donkey called Lancelot.  It is now named 'Lancelot's Piece' after him. The then Rector had rescued this ass and used him to give rides at local fetes.  The beast was thoroughly bad tempered and I well remember him going for me when I stopped to talk to him one day! (I was only 10 at the time!)

Here is the village post-office on the corner of Carlton Road, known as the Corner Stores.

There has been a shop on these premises for many years. The road here has changed much though - overhanging bay windows have been removed and the road much widened for modern traffic. This part of the village was once called Stockers End. Click the image to enlarge it.

For many years the Corner Stores near the Church were owned by one 'Pecky' Payne. It was said that he would cut a current in half if necessary to avoid giving over weight! This corner is still known to locals as Payne's Corner.

As we continue down Carlton Road, towards the cemetery and the New School, we pass on our right the entrance to what was Baileys Transport (click for more info).

We will stop when we get to the junction with May Road for now . . .

Cross the road and head back in to the village and you pass the Chantry Farm (originally called Chantry Yard).  This was once farmed by Tom Hofe of Thurleigh and manned by Tom Metcalf and Vic Moody who lived in the small cottage called Copy Moor.

Chantry Yard was built by Major W.F. Higgins of Turvey House who wanted to mark the site where the two chantry priests had lived.  These were priest who had been supported by Sir John Mordaunt in the 15th century.  Their duties included celebrating the mass in the St Mary Chapel of the village church and teaching some of the village boys.

Inscription on a wall in the

garden of Chantry House

Sir John Mordunt KT, a distinguished soldier and lawyer in the reign of Henry VII founded a chantry in St. Mary's Chapel in Turvey Church where he was buried and endowed it with lands in Cambridgeshire for the support of two priests, also with a messauge in Turvey called 'Fyshers'.  The chaplain and his successors were always to reside at Turvey and to teach grammar to the boys of the parish.

This stone marks the spot known in later days as 'Chantry Yard' which was occupied by the buildings of that ancient and pious endowment.

WFH MLCCCLXXXVII

Here is the view across the Church front.  You can see the church cross, the gatehouse of the entrance to Turvey House and the Three Cranes pub.  Just to the left of the gatehouse (roughly where the little black gate is) there once was a path called Hogs Lane.

This was the location of the Parish Workhouse.  The workhouse was in use until the passing of the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 when it was no longer required and was pulled down.

Here's a clearer shot of the Three Cranes.  It is a handsome old inn and nowadays is well known for its good Sunday dinners.  It was originally known as 'The Chequers'.  The building is very large and rambling inside and there was once stables adjoining. Click this image to enlarge it.

To the left of the pub (photo on right) you can see the shop front of Burley's Butchers - their 'Burley Bangers' (sausages) are quite legendary! Click the image to enlarge it.

Opposite the Cranes is Church Terrace. These cottages were known as Church Row until the early 1900's.

Once the row of cottages stood right against the road with no front gardens at all.

Click the image to enlarge it.

Finally, we reach the main road again, near to where we started.  If we turn round and look back towards the church we see the Old Chapel.

The (very) small group of house just in front of the Chapel (to the left of the picture) is called Chantry Close.

This concludes my little 'virtual' tour of Turvey.

I am continually updating and adding to it, so do check again soon.

Would you would now like to take a tour of the beautiful Parish Church?

To start this tour again: