Freshwater Church and Causeway

Please click thumbnails for larger picture. 

Old postcards are sometimes poorly produced and grainy, I've done my best to scan them.

Dates are from the card or my estimate (where possible). The maker of the card is shown in brackets (where available).

If we now go up Hooke Hill we come to the Red Lion Inn and the Parish Church of All Saints. Hooke Hill was named after Robert Hooke. 

For more about Robert Hooke

All Saints Church

"The Parish Church of Freshwater is about a quarter mile from the railway station, the tower looking down on a little village street. From the exterior one would not judge it to be of great antiquity. The quaint tower is thirteenth century work, the battlemented portions having probably been added some two centuries later. It contains a peal of six bells and a striking clock. There is a marble memorial to Lord Alfred and Lady Tennyson, who herself was later laid to rest in the churchyard"

From the Ward Lock guide to the Isle of Wight published sometime in the 1920's

There is also a poem (allegedly contemporary) about the wool smuggling exploits of a Rector of Freshwater who had a writ issued against him in 1394. At that time Clergy had certain privileges in law:

Ye Rector of Freshwater (sad to relate),

    Was dogg'd and collared at Ye Redde Lionne Inne,

A matter of conflicte betwixte Churche and State,

    He was snuggled in smuggled woolle nexte Ye Skinne.

He attended Ye Courte at Tenne of Ye Clocke,

    And began to intone a Piece of Liturgie,

This time it was not for Ye Sake of Ye Flocke,

    But that he might claim benefitte of Clergie.

"Onlie wool-gathering" he said to Ye Warders,

   And then, pulling woole o'er Ye Justices' eyes,

"This holie suit doth not suit Holie Orders;

   Respecte for Ye Clothe is a word to Ye wise"

Continuing towards the River Yar the Causeway is reached.

Freshwater page 3

Freshwater Village