Nooks and Corners of Old England by Alan Fea - HTML preview

CORSHAM ALMSHOUSE.

Each approach to Lacock is picturesque, but the most pleasing is

from the lane which runs up to

[Pg 111]

Gastard and Corsham. This joins the Melksham road by a charming

old gabled and timbered cottage, not architecturally remarkable, but

pleasing in outline and colour. From the lane above, this roadside

cottage stands out against a background of wooded hill, and when

the sun is low it presents a picture which must have tempted many an

artist. On the way to Gastard and thence to Neston there are many

tumble-down old places which seem to be entirely out of touch with

the twentieth century. But at the highest point there is a startling

notice which might alarm a motorist should he lose his way up in

these narrow lanes. "Beware of the trams" is posted up in big letters!

You look around in astonishment, for silence reigns supreme; but by

and bye you come upon a stone quarry near the dilapidated entrance

to what was once probably a manor house, and a light falls upon the

meaning of the "trams." An artistic projecting signboard not far off bears the inscription:

"Arise, get up the Season now
 Drive up Brave Boys
 God speed the

Plough."