The End of the Programme
The final instalment of Travels with Pevsner sees Jonathan Meades in a melancholy mood. He starts to reminisce about his fallen heroes - first Duncan Edwards (Dudley used to be in Worcestershire) and then Peter Collins.
Son of Kidderminster and previously unheard of.
Peter Collins (1931–1958) was a British motor-racing driver born in Mustow Green, near Kidderminster, Worcestershire. One of the leading drivers of the 1950s, he raced for Ferrari in Formula One, winning three World Championship Grands Prix, including the 1958 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. He also competed at Le Mans and was admired for his talent and sportsmanship. His career was cut short on 3 August 1958 when he suffered fatal head injuries in a crash during the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, aged just 26.
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| Kidderminster's Sporting Hero |
His burial location is no more than a couple of miles from where my son works. With nothing else to do, and in appalling weather, I head off to explore Stone Church. Alas, the hastily plotted walk meets with disaster - the only footpath curtailed mid-way along because of Taylor Wimpey building new houses. Yes, there was a sign. Yes, I ignored it, expecting the closure to be down to an easily overcome fallen bridge. Even when the farmer chased me to reiterate the bad news, I refused to believe that I couldn't get through. But no, Taylor Wimpey is locked up tighter than Fort Knox.
Still, I achieved my aim. The grave hidden around the rear of a doors locked church.
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| Stone Church |
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| Still remembered by Petrolheads |
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| End of the line - End of the world weather |
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| Reopens in 2029 - according to better signage at the opposite end |
Can Jonathan Meades provide further walking inspirations?
I've found on YouTube three episodes of Travels in Birmingham.
Walk Details
Distance - 6 miles
Geocaches - 0
Walk Inspiration - Travels with Pevsner, Worcestershire
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