Frodsham's story set in verse

MOST of us in this part of the world have a soft spot for the rural delights of Frodsham and the rustic charm of its surrounding villages.

The Domesday Book had Frodsham inscribed on its pages and there has been a market there since the 13th century. The name of St Laurence, the best known of Frodsham's churches, both past and present, can also be found in the Domesday Book.

The railway came to the town as far back as 1850 and a stone bridge was built across the marsh. Castle Park remains one of Frodsham's enduring attractions and is as popular today as was the old Mersey View landmark.

All of which gives me the opportunity to present one courageous lady's view of her hometown, described in verse under the heading A Very Potted History of Frodsham.

Joyce Warner penned her version of Frodsham through the centuries in 1999 for Frodsham History Society in preparation for the then forthcoming millennium celebrations.

Joyce suffered from motor neurone problems for 19 years but continued to pen poetry and raise money on behalf of the society.

Her daughter, Gill, of Beechwood, Runcorn, kindly gave me a copy of her mother's work following her death. It appears here and I hope you will find it as enjoyable as I did.

A VERY POTTED HISTORY OF FRODSHAM

TWO thousand years of history - it's hard to visualise.
So many scenes, so many men will pass before our eyes.
From Roman times to present day their stories have been told
We read of their achievements, these stalwart men of old.

And what of Frodsham through the years? - there's not a lot to know.
For the first thousand years at least, nor do the records show
If it was "Froda's hamlet" or "Hamlet on the Ford".
That's an interesting fact historians don't record.

We do know that a Roman road found Frodsham on its way
To Middlewich from Chester's fort, called Deva in its day.
Then, in the seventh century, the Vikings landed near
And Frodsham men helped man the forts that stopped them settling here.

The Domesday Book had Frodsham's name inscribed on its page.
It's said that Frodsham "Castle" is also of this age.
And since the 13th century there's been a market here -
though what was sold in those days wouldn't sell today, I fear.

Destroyed and rebuilt many times, "The Castle", as 'twas known
'Til in the 18th century became a family home.
Then in the 1930s it was put in council care
That the folk of rural Runcorn could find enjoyment there.

If you visit Castle Park today you have a treat in store:
There's tennis courts, a bowling green, an art centre and more.
A playground for the children and homes for the retired.
And the beauty of the gardens leaves visitors inspired.

Also in the Domesday Book, St Lawrence Church is found
Rebuilt in the next century, the traces still abound
Of Norman arches, pillars, and also you will see
A 15th century sedile ( a seat to you and me).

Many additions through the years, replacements and repairs.
Chancel and two chapels added, pews replaced by chairs.
But still the ancient nave remains, where people kneel to pray.
Proof that the faith our forbears knew is still alive today.

The rest of Frodsham's churches: Five Crosses, Trinity, Bourne,
The Rock, "The Union", were built last century.
Sadly some churches, founded then, this century have gone.
St Luke's and Main Street Chapel were founded later on.

It was in 1850 when the railway came to town
The stone bridge built across the Marsh, the iron bridge knocked down
Then shortly after that they opened up the Mersey View
You could have swings and donkey rides, tea and ice cream, too.

And soon the helter-skelter came - you'd queue up for a ride
Pay a penny, climb the stairs, sit on a mat and slide!
But by the 1970s it had really had its day -
They knocked the helter-skelter down and carried it away.

But you will find the Mersey View a different place today.
Where teenagers have discos and dance the night away.
While built next door is Forest Hills, hotel and club for leisure
Where you can dine, lift weights or swim - whatever gives you pleasure.

In olden times the wars were fought with arrows, spear and pike
And cannonballs and powder kegs, crossbows and the like.
We have not changed - we still fight wars - but nowadays, alas,
It's likely to be nuclear bombs or deadly poison gas.

Two World Wars this century and each one took its toll
Of Frodsham's men and women; their names upon a Roll
of Honour on an obelisk on top of Frodsham Hill
Though many years have passed since then, their memories honoured still

'Twas in the 1950s Frodsham started to expand
Houses grew like mushrooms on our green and pleasant land
Impossible to cross the road - the traffic was so fast
They had to build a motorway; we had some peace at last.

But still you'll find in Main Street memories of days of yore
The Bear's Paw and the Old Hall, thatched cottages galore
And high above the town St Lawrence keeps his vigil still.
The ever present watchman sitting there upon the hill.

So Frodsham, once hamlet, then a village, now a town
Retains much of its old world charm, though older people frown
To see the houses spring up where once the fields were green
And supermarkets fill the space where village shops have been.

In the past two centuries much change has taken place
The motor car, the aeroplane - man even walks in space.
Communication, medicine, technology and such
We celebrate the pioneers to whom we owe so much.

But remember, as you dance all night or party until late
Two thousand years since Christ was born is what we celebrate.
So many men have died for their belief, but, sad to say,
So few of us will be in church on the Millennium Day.