Blackwell is a rural oasis in a countryside of collieries. The old part of the villagehas fine views from its hilltop, and a cross in its church taking us back one thousand years. It is the lower part of a Saxon cross, five feet above the base, two sides carved with interlacing knotwork and two with braid work. It was marking time when the Saxons worshipped on this spot, perhaps before the first church was built. The church was rebuilt in 1826 and enlarged in 1870, and all that is left of those olden days is a round pillar and capital of a lost arcade of about 1200, built into the new nave wall.
Not far away, is a farmhouse which has come into England's story, for its attic, whose little window looks out to the church, saw the working of an invention which was to revolutionise the hosiery trade. Here came Jedediah Strutt when his uncle died and left him all his stock. It was here that he brought his bride in 1755, and here he turned from his farming to follow his bent for mechanics. Under this old gabled roof he brought his ribbed stocking frame to perfection, and here his first child was born, the oak cradle he made for it being one of the cherished possessions of the Strutt family today.
Places to stay
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