Indecipherable Place Name
I knew that the latest West Midlands History Podcast would provide plenty of potential walk inspiration. Mike Jenkins talks about his new book - The History of Place Names in England and Worcestershire. A £5 visit to Amazon and my Kindle will now be able to bore blogfans through a whole new avenue. Skirting the book and listening to the Podcast, my mind was soon made up that the walk would be from Tardebigge.
Unique as the only village in the land that has belonged to three counties (Staffordshire, Warwickshire and now Worcestershire) its also the only place that Mike (and other experts) cannot decode it's naming roots.
After a long discussion of potential options, Mike concludes;
However, most toponymists seem to agree this this is one of those place names which remains obscure and has even been postulated to be related to a pre-Celtic, possibly an Old European (pre-Indo-European) language! If true, this would mean the name originates from at least 3,000 to 4,000 years ago!
We borrow a couple of dogs and park at the impressive church, situated on high ground. I couldn't even find the main door to tell you if its "Doors Open" or not.
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| Tardebigge Church |
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| And its position on a high ridge |
This circular walk is outbound on lanes, along the Monarch's Way. Not many cars to avoid but they are 100% Land Rovers. The Joneses' keep up with each other in these parts.
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| Borrowed dog, Sam, shows the way through Stoke Cross |
Some empty agricultural fields to pick up the Birmingham-Worcester canal, following it up along the famous flight of locks back to the church.
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| Happy Mrs M and Sam with-guide-dog-in-training, Ian - we don't name them |
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| Celebrating the end of the flight |
A perfect walk for dogs - no stiles, off-lead frolicking and plenty of sniffing interest.
Less so for humans. No tea shops, let alone a pub.
Walk Details
Distance - 5 Miles
Geocaches - 0
Walk Inspiration - 100 Walks in Hereford and Worcestershire, Walk 61
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