On 16 April, the walk set off from St Mary’s Church, Greasley, a medieval parish church rebuilt in the late 19th century after mining subsidence. Paths through Colliers Wood, once shaped by deep coal mining and later reclaimed as green space, led towards Eastwood Hall Park, former grounds of the Walker family and later coal‑industry headquarters. Passing Durban House, built in 1896 as Barber Walker mining offices linked to D. H. Lawrence’s family, the route continued along Victoria Street to the D. H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, his 1885 home. It then followed Walker Street, where the Lawrence family later lived, reached Beauvale Board School, opened in 1878 and attended by Lawrence as a child, before returning on footpaths to Greasley.
On our return some of us paid a visit to ‘The Parish Oven’ café behind the church hall.
The name brings back memories of the local expression that someone with:
‘a mouth like a parish oven’ is imagined as having a mouth that is constantly open and working – talking non-stop and often loudly.
It’s usually humorous or mildly critical, not a compliment.
The photograph is a relatively new mural on Victoria Street Eastwood near the museum.
21st May Walk
I’m away and Mark Thornley the long walks group leader has volunteered to lead a local walk. Details will be sent to the group nearer the time.
David Rose
