Holy Trinity Church

(Photo kindly sent in by Gordon Childs, Bexley, Kent)

The records show that show how Blendworth use to look like during the middle of the 1600s and the survey names some of the copyholders but there is nothing mentioned about common land. The number of holdings that were registered totalled 30 and 22 copyholders, which included some cottages at Woodhouse Ashes.

Another view of Holy Trinity Church and the stained glass window
(Photos kindly sent in by Gordon Childs, Bexley, Kent)

Blendworth Lodge was part of a mansion that was devastated by fire but originally it was built by John Hopper in the 18th century and later occupied by Sir William Knighton. Captain Seymour the husband of one of Sir William Knighton's daughters during the 19th century had Caldington one of the larger houses.

On the edge of the parish is Idsworth House, erected in 1852 in the Elizabethan style and formerly the propertry of Lorna, Countess Howe, and  the home of the Clarke-Jervoise family. This replaced the old Manor House at Old Idsworth the former seat of the Lords of the Manor. The new Idsworth House has some beautiful views of the South Downs and of the Isle of Wight and there are many treasures held there, including paintings. During the war years 1939- 1945 Idsworth House was used as a Naval Hospital.

A report of a Court and Court Baron held 25th March 1689 where Blendworth was represented by Thomas Franklyn, Thomas Padwick and John Byden on the jury stated:

"We present the stocks of Blindworth out of repair to be mened (mended) by the tenth of May nex upon default Tenn Shillings by the jurymen."

"15th October 1697. We present the Wipping Post and Stocks out of
repair in the Tything of Blendworth and we present the Tything to put
them in repair the Lord allowing Tymber between this and the twenty first
of December next upon default Twenty Shillings for offending."

Where the Whipping post and the stock were located nobody know but hte Pound was in Blanchard Lane, and  close to Hook Cottage which was once called Green Hook cottage. This area was known as Appleford Living during the 17th century.

It was in 1760 that the Lord of the Manor of the time, The Duke of Beaufort invited tenants   to the Red Lion at Horndean for a dinner,  and at this time Horndean was in the Parish of Catherington and partly in Blendworth.

The war memorial stands on the village green and the thatched General shop also stood on the side of the green.

Blendworth Farm
(Photo kindly sent in by Gordon Childs, Bexley, Kent)

Blendworth School

School started in the village in 1693 through  "Benefactor William Appleford of St. Mary's College, Winchester, Porter, by Will dated the 3rd day of September 1695 gave and devised to the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Parish of Blendworth in the County of Southampton and their successors for ever four closes or parcels of land with the appurtenances lying in the Parish of Catherington in the said County to the intent that the rents and profits of the same shall be for ever applied to Education of Poor Children and to buy books for them."

This was referring to about 17 acres of land and a house at Lovedean the rent being £20 and being used for the purpose stated.

Though there is no actual school on record education was carried out and a mention is made in church records of this fact that on 26th January 1702

"Paid to Goody Hoare for scholing . . . 00-4-00."
"January 27th . . . Pd Goody Bydon for primer .. . 00-11-0 1704 .. . "
"Paid Goody Bagg for two quarters' scholing . . . 00-1-7"

 and in 1723 a well-known family, still in Blendworth, is mentioned—

"Paid for schooling Edney's children 1-2-0".

This shows that schooling was probably carried out in the house of the teacher and Thomas Hoare had a house in Duckstile Lane in 1710. Thomas Biden also had a house and orchard called Copid Hall situated in Coppid Hall Lane so in these two places the children of Blenworth probably had their first taste of education.

It seems that the name Thomas was a popular name in Blendworth because as well as schooling a few boys had their indentures as apprentices paid for from the Appleford Trust. And then in 1785 Thomas Heather became the official  schoolmaster followed in 1800 by Thomas Welch. The legacy of William Appeford still remains under the name of  Appleford's Educational Foundation a trust for assisting with the educational expenses of those living in the parish.

The present school was built in 1840 on land donated by Sir Samuel Clarke-Jervoise and this was the first proper school built in the area

HISTORY OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH