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Old Local Names in Lower Broadheath

Old Pastures.
A field off Peachley Lane part of which was sold by Brigadier Britton as a site for housing. Six houses were built here in the late nineteen twenties.

The Banyard.
A large spring fed pool in Old Pastures.

Frenchlands Lane

"Frenchlands Lane," the name is thought to originate from a group of French soldiers who came with the Scots to fight in the "Battle of Worcester."
They were encamped at "The Elms" a moated timber framed manor house, on the site of the present "Moats."
The French were killed and the manor destroyed.
According to Jack Stephens the knowledgeable vicar, villagers carrying flowers visited their graves annually until the First World War.
Two villagers have independently seen the French Ghostly Army exercising in the fields.

Picket Hill

"Picket Hill," is an ancient wood situated off Frenchlands Lane. It is also the site of an old Roman clay pit; there are several others on Partridge Farm nearby.
In the fields below Picket Hill, large circles have been spotted, that could indicate an Iron Age settlement.

Sailors Bank

"Sailors Bank," situated in Martley Road, Past the School, near a cottage called "The Sailors Return," The name appears to come from a sailor called Smith, who after retiring from the navy opened an alehouse here.

The Vine Yards

Was also known as"The Vicarage Paddock," is now known as "The Vicarage Green." Is an area of recreation ground, accessed from Church Lane, situated between The Church and The Old Vicarage at the rear of The Village Hall. Mrs AM Wheeley Lea donated the land to the church, in 1914.

Crown Meadow

"Crown Meadow," was given to a field that ran along the side of "Green Lane," also a public house had this name, this is now called "The Old Post Office."
A Housing Estate has been built here and retains the name "Crown."

Pinch

" Pinch," is situated opposite the junction with Hallow Lane, and the main Martley Road.
A footpath crosses the field at this point to Partridge Lane.

The Bottoms

"The Bottoms" is an old name given to fields situated off Bell Lane. The footpath crossed this area, before emerging on to the main road near "The Dewdrop Inn".

Pole Piece

"Pole Piece," was the name given to a long narrow strip of land, situated near the allotments.

The Knoll

"The Knoll," is given to the area around a grassy mound, at the rear of "Hopton Cottage" "The Oakland's" and "The Nurseries". "The Knoll Bank" is situated before the turning to "Lovington Lane."

Birchen Grove

"Birchen Grove," ancient woodland situated near "The Knoll"

Peachley Grange

"Peachley Grange," was a rambling old property situated near the junction with Jacomb Close with Jacomb Road. It had outbuildings and a large barn.
One of the buildings housed a cider press, operated with a donkey, walking around a circular stone fruit crusher.
Bob Boaz ran the local scout group from a large room in the house during the early fifties.

Peachley Drift

"Peachley Drift," located off Peachley Lane, was an ancient track that led to a clay pit and "Peachley Wood".

Peachley Osier Beds

"Peachley Osier Beds," were located within a one acre plot, in a corner of the area, that later became Jacomb Road Estate. Osiers were mainly, one-year-old willow saplings grown especially for basket making

Crows Nest

"Crows Nest" was originally the name given to "Crown East." The name was retained until the first Ordnance Survey Map in the 1840's.
Perhaps the residents did not like their post so addressed.

Atchen Hill

"Atchen Hill," is situated off the "Crown East Lane," near "Elgars Birthplace."

Temple Laugherne

Temple Laugherne situated on the main road between the village and Worcester. The name comes from Laugherne Brook that forms the boundary between Hallow and Lower Broadheath.

The Strand

"The Strand" was an area in Peachley Lane, near the horse chestnut tree.
The Strand cottages are still there although now derelict,