St Denys Church was the meeting spot for a historical walk around St Denys and Bitterne Park Triangle on Sunday, March 1 – St David’s Day, writes Katherine Barbour.
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Local people heard about the history of St Denys, including the reason why Priory Road is so called.
Site of the priory off Priory Road
The walk from the church went past the remains of the old priory where a group of Augustinian priors lived from 1124 to 1536. On one occasion their bishop was written to as they had been seen bringing women back to the priory and the priors were in a state of inebriation!
The group are photographed standing in front of a city icon, the Triangle clock tower.
Henrietta Bellenden Sayers gave this to the city with the additional provision of a drinking fountain “in evidence of care for both man and beast”.
It was originally constructed on the corner of New Road and Above Bar and was moved due to traffic congestion in the city centre. Things don’t change much! It was moved to Bitterne Park Triangle in 1935 and stands there to this day.
Undeterred by a shower of rain walkers were rewarded with the sight of a stunning rainbow while crossing Cobden Bridge.
After the walk we returned to St Denys Church for tea and cake. Many conversations happened over tea and there was a real sense of community. A collection was made for Independent Age, a charity that supports older people with information and advice lines.
It was a delight to share the history of this area with people from across the city. I have always been interested in where I live and the history of St Denys is particularly exciting given the priory that was built there nearly 900 years ago.
Frank Green and I will be leading two further local history walks on Sunday, April 5 and Sunday, May 3, 2020 meeting at St Denys Church at 2.30pm.
Katherine Barbour
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Audio: Take a tour of historic St Denys