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Spelsbury is a small village on the road between Chipping Norton and Charlbury
(B4026).
Of the 50 houses in the village about a quarter are in the region of 100 years
old, while over 25 have been built since 1920. There are four almshouses, built
in 1689 by the land agent of the Ditchley estate John Carey of Wilcote. There
are still charities settled on the almshouses with Wilcote connections. John
Carey was buried in the churchyard his tomb, a substantial affair, is on the
south side of the church.
Several of the old cottages had tradesmen living in them. The shape of the old
bread oven can still be identified in the old bakehouse wall. There are a few
thatched cottages which look quite picturesque. The village school ceased to be
a school in 1958 and was turned into a house. It still retains the bell turret
and clock. Some dwellings have been converted from farm buildings and stables.
There is a large water fountain under a canopy built of honey-coloured and pink
stone. It was built in memory of Constantine Augustus Dillon (18131853), who
was the 13th Viscount Dillon. Until about 1953 when mains water was laid on in
the village, this was the local water supply. At that time the Hon Elsie Corbett
had the village sewerage system put in both must have been of great benefit to
everyone.
The church is dedicated to All Saints. There has been a place of worship on this
spot for about 900 years and there is evidence of Roman work in the pillars of
the tower. Parts of the nave date from about 1300 but a great deal of rebuilding
has been done over the years, particularly in the 18th century.
The church has many memorials, mainly to residents of Ditchley. Lord Rochester,
the 17th century poet of Charles IIs Court, is interred here in the crypt and
his and a number of other coffin plates are now displayed in the baptistry.
Another interesting memorial is to a daughter of Charles II and Barbara, Duchess
of Cleveland who married Edward Henry Lee they lived at Ditchley for most of
their married life and had 18 children.
From higher points around the village there is a very pleasing view over the
Evenlode valley. The landscape is undulating and wooded with a truly rural
aspect.
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