John Ratcliffe, Nether Stowey

John Ratcliffe at his home in Nether Stowey.  John has carried out extensive research on James Cole, who lived in the village when Coleridge was here and knew Coleridge and Wordsworth.  Cole became a famous clockmaker.  John has 

re-built village clocks and knows village history and architecture and has manorial rights to collect oak from the woods--but not more than he can carry.

The Bridgwater Arms

I assume this is the Bridgwater Arms that Coleridge stayed at and where he noted that all the linen was marked with 'stolen from the Bridgwater Arms.'  He was walking to Cheddar with the Wordsworths.

Coleridge preached here

Coleridge preached at the Unitarian Chapel twice--trying to raise money. The Chapel was built in 1688, rebuilt in 1788 and restored in 1988, so it remains as it was I gather when Coleridge preached in 1797 and 1798. He was living in Lime Street Nether Stowey in this period. He might like to know that the Hall notice advertises 'Free Thinking Religion' and 'Liberty Truth Love.'

The filthy Parrett

Roger Evans says that Coleridge referred to Bridgwater's Parrett River as being' as filthy as if all the parrots in the House of Commons had been washing their consciences in it.' 

Newton Park campus Bath Spa

Part of the Duchy of Cornwall, the Newton Park campus is very nice indeed.

Bath Spa Newton Park

Professor Tim Middleton of Bath Spa Newton Park campus.

Coleridge as a Chinese restaurant

Coleridge and Southey used the Old Library in King Street, now Cathay Rendezvous.  According to legend Coleridge walked to Bristol from Nether Stowey to change library books--he might have been faster than driving down the M5 on Saturday.