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Archenfield Archaeology Ltd for the |
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Farmers Club, Hereford |
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The Farmers Club in Widemarsh Street has traditionally been called The Gatehouse, reflecting its origin as part of Hereford's Widemarsh Gate.This early 17th century building has had many uses before its present function as the Farmers Club. The club was originally for local farmers but now has members from many walks of life |
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Widemarsh Gate in the 18th century, not long before it was demolished. On 29th October 1628 the city council gave permission for Thomas Church, a dyer who lived in the house, to cut the small doorway on the left of the gate through the city wall so that he could use the water in the town ditch. |
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In 1814 Miss Croucher was the principal of an academy for young ladies, a boarding school of some repute, which was housed in 'The Gatehouse'. Needing a new drawing master she travelled to London to interview a promising young artist for the post. This was David Cox, who had already exhibited at the Royal Academy, and who was engaged at the 'liberal salary' of £100 per annum. Cox took up the post on 26th October 1814. Cox supplemented his already not inconsiderable income by teaching part-time at the local grammar school and by taking private pupils. Before public transport, moving around the county was difficult and in order to get to and from his private pupils Cox attempted to travel by horse - he was far from a natural horseman and after repeated failure reverted to travelling by foot, even though some of his journeys were to market towns some distance away - Leominster is thirteen miles from Hereford. David Cox left Hereford in 1819. The Gatehouse continued to be used by schools throughout the 19th century. It was a boarding grammar school for young gentlemen in 1867 and was the 'Chandos School' (principal Rev William Joseph MA) in 1895. |
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The doorway that Thomas Church cut through the medieval town wall in 1628. Thomas was later mayor of Hereford. |
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The Gatehouse from the south-west |
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maintained by Archenfield Archaeology Ltd |
