Stoke Lacy

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Stoke Lacy
Herefordshire

Stoke Lacy church
Location
Grid reference: SO620495
Location: 52°8’33"N, 2°33’25"W
Data
Population: 364  (2011)
Post town: Bromyard
Postcode: HR7
Dialling code: 01885
Local Government
Council: Herefordshire
Parliamentary
constituency:
North Herefordshire

Stoke Lacy is a small village in Herefordshire. It stands by the main A465 road that connects Hereford and Bromyard and is ten miles from the former and four miles from the latter.

The village sits in the verdant, agricultural and undulating landscape of north-eastern Herefordshire. It has a population of circa 450 souls and 135 houses.

Parish church

The church, St Peter and St Paul, dates back to Norman times on what is believed to be a much older site.

The current church is a thorough Victorian restoration. In 1863 the architect F. R. Kempson, son of a previous rector renovated and remodelled the old church leaving only the Norman arch with a screen and leaf frieze on the cornice. (The Kempson's were forebears of the Redgrave acting family.)

The church has several stained glass windows dedicated to the Morgan's and the family graves are in the grave yard. Henry Morgan was rector from 1871 followed by his son George. George's son did not go into the ministry but founded an engineering company: he builyt a stylish three wheeler car in 1909 and created of the iconic, globally famous Morgan Motor Company, which still produces for discerning customers a range of stylish sports cars. The church has several stained glass windows dedicated to the Morgan's and the family graves are in the grave yard.

History

From 1938, Symonds Cider and English Wine Company was based in Stoke Lacy. This company operated as a family firm until it was taken over by Greenall & Whitley in 1984, and then Bulmers in 1989. The plant in Stoke Lacy closed in 2000. The Wye Valley Brewery producing real ale is now located in the village on the Symonds site.

Society

Stoke Lacy possesses a thriving public house and restaurant, the Plough, and a village hall, opposite, with excellent facilities and parking for meetings and events.

Stoke Lacy Village Hall in the centre of the village stands on land donated by Bill Symonds following the closure of the Symonds brewery. It has a large function room, car park and lawns.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Stoke Lacy)

References