The New Inn

THE NEW INN was formally an 18th century Coaching Inn and farmhouse combined, providing accommodation and nourishment for the weary travellers passing through what was once Needwood Forest. 

The deforestation happening around 1801. Records show an Inn on this site from around 1760. Then named the Moseley Arms. 
The true age of the building can be seen by its still intact Bake Oven in the corner of the restaurant. And the long forgotten third floor, with its old wooden doors and ornate wooden locks; 

The larder room with its numerous hooks for hanging game from the ceiling, and the elaborate network of strings and pulleys below the floor boards which operated the bell ringers are just another reminder of its history.

We have had memories of doing our walks as school children from Needwood School, Rangemore Hall.  One of these walks included going up to the New Inn and back on some Sundays.  In those days, we had very few cars and it was a crossroad before the island was built due to the fact there are more cars than ever today.

While I was visiting Needwood haunts last June 2014, I passed the New Inn and decided to have lunch there. 

It was the very first time I had ever been inside at all, and saw the bread oven in the corner by the fireplace still very much intact and tells the age of the building.

I personally took these photographs, and remembers the New Inn exactly as it was decades ago.

The New Inn also has it’s very own supernatural experiences. The owners have been here so long that they have given them names. Mr. ‘Toasty’ for instance, (you know he's around because of the smell of fresh toast). ‘Cigar man’, again named him from the aroma of cigars and ‘Sooty’. Now I do have to say that Sooty is my favourite, When it comes to mischief, you can bet that ‘Sooty’ is behind it somewhere. ‘The White Lady’, very often seen walking about. Most of them are like kids, always causing playful annoyance. Things falling off walls, items get moved or relocated so you can’t find them. Hair pulling, blowing in your face, doors opening and closing, and the ever popular tap on the shoulder. TV’s & electrical appliances turned on and off when not plugged in. And not to mention the cold shivers when they are around, Your hairs will stand on end, and it feels like your in a freezer.

Many a customer have experienced these phenomena. Converted to believers of the unknown. The overnight guests getting the most attention, from being slapped to getting a kiss. And as most folk say, it’s a pub, too much good ale is the cause of these eerie tales. There’s only one way to find out, as many have. Experience it for yourself.

This gives an insight into New Inn’s  long history within the forest and its role not only as a hostelry, but as the meeting place for the Kings assizes to dish out the punishments for stealing or poaching within the Kings forest.

Many a bloody battle may have been fought near, or within the forest. Tutbury Castle being only few miles away. The scene of much dramatic battle between the Cromwellians & The Royalists during the English Civil War.

So who knows, are some of our wandering friends from these times, Meeting there fate at the hands of the local gentry, or drowning in the many perilous bogs within the forest in an effort to escape the Kings gamekeepers while poaching his deer. Or is the fact that the NEW INN is such a nice place to be, they have made it there home too.

The Old Bath House, formerly the Old Rectory

This is the Old Bath House formerly the Old Rectory in Tatenhill Lane. Rangemore Village.  I remember being inside a few times for bible lessons and hear Rev. Anthony Sadler play on his grand piano.  We used to go past it going into Chapel Lane to the Village Stores and sweet shop.

The Old Bath House is next door to Rangemore Club.

I have recently seen this house while on holiday on 24th June 2014 revisiting Needwood area.

The old Village Stores and Sweet Shop in our school days

Myself outside the former old Village Stores and Sweet Shop decades later.

Sitting on the throne seat as Queen, Protector and Guardian of Needwood Forest.  I did tree hugging, and have been letting the trees know I love them by kissing.  And so grateful they are still there since I was a school girl. I love the smell of the forest. The pupils and teachers used to walk through the same forest from the school to All Saints Church for the Sunday morning service every week.  I was one of the very few pupils who went to church nearly every Wednesday evening as I took God very seriously, and took the usual short cut to the church. We used to play in the woods every day after lessons. I spent a lot of time in the woods as I liked being alone, and wanted to be away from my school friends whenever I feel like it. 

Mystery of the Gardener's Residence and the Walled Garden

On a visit to Rangemore Hall, I discovered this hidden gem that solved my problem of where Rangemore gardens were, as it was part of an estate. 

I have personally visited this part of the estate including a walk through that part of Needwood Forest. 

The mystery of the gardener's residence has been exposed, and this walled garden used to house the kitchen garden and massive glasshouses for the Bass Family.  This part of the estate is now privately owned, and owns part of Needwood forest.  

The detached five bedroom Victorian residence originally the house for the Head Gardener for Rangemore Hall is set amidst private parkland in the highly desirable location of Rangemore in part of the National Forest.  

A most imposing family home. It boasts four reception rooms and stands within gardens partly formed by the original walled gardens, around 1 acre together with paddock and woodland about 10 acres linked to Rangemore Village and includes a private triple garage. 

 It is now under new private ownership as it was just recently sold.

We were talking about when children used to play on the area called the Rough Slopes. There were some very large gates that they could see quite clearly.  There were steps leading to the gates. Sometimes children would climb the gates.  We used to play here almost every day after tea when we were juniors.  

One remembers the many hours near the large gates.  Some of the lads were getting on top of the wall in one spot where they climbed a tree overhanging the wall.  

One can remember having bonfire night on the slopes and dragged branches and wood all the way from the football pitch.  We do not know if any of the rockets did damage the glasshouses as they came down. 

When we were juniors, the boys and girls played together on the rough slopes, lots of trees and hiding places and lots of fun, sometimes one would wander off and have a look around the Gamekeeper's lodge with lots of vermin hanging on wires dead and lots of chicken runs where pheasants were being reared.