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Richard Stone was born in Burton-upon-Trent and is well-known for a regular column in the Burton Mail, as a contributor to Derbyshire Life and for his appearances on BBC Radio Derby. Richard indulges a lifelong interest in history as a freelance writer and broadcaster. You can read more of his thought-provoking explorations of the history, landscape, characters, crafts and traditions of the local area in:
Moats, Boats and other notes (1999)
Hidden Derbyshire (2001)
A Stone’s Throw of Burton (2002)
Tamworth: A History (2003)
Burton upon Trent: A History (2004)
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'X' marks the spot
An incident that took place during the Civil War leads Richard Stone to discover why many individuals were once denied churchyard burial.
'An entry in the parish register of All Saints Church, Lullington dated 31 March 1644, records that Philip Greensmith was executed for desertion. Hung from a tree at Coton-in-the-Elms. The hanging is said to have taken place on a tree in a field near Overfields Farm and the body buried beside the nearby crossroads.'
To read the full article in the archive please follow the link below.
'X' marks the spot article....
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Burton and the Bard
A local Shakespeare connection leads Richard Stone to a nuisance neighbour and a bloody battle.
'In Part 1 of Henry IV (Act 3 Scene 1) Shakespeare has Henry Hotspur speak of his ‘… moiety, north from Burton here’ and of ‘… the smug and silver Trent’. Is he talking of our Burton? I think there is not much doubt. The play reaches a climactic finale with the Battle of Shrewsbury. We need to step back a few years earlier in order to tell the full story.' To read the full article in the archive please follow the link below.
Burton and the Bard article....
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Needwood
If you went down to the woods 200 years ago you were definitely in for a big surprise discovers Richard Stone.
'Christmas Day, 1801 was when the Act authorising the enclosure of Needwood Forest took effect. The ‘necessary’ wood that had provided food and shelter since the first people walked in the Trent Valley had ceased to be economic. Venison and timber were no longer prized resources. Instead ploughed and cultivated fields were where the smart money was headed.'
To read the full article in the archive please follow the link below.
Needwood article....
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