Bleasby, Nottinghamshire

Hazelford Ferry

Before the building of the first Gunthorpe Bridge in 1875, it was an important crossing point over the River Trent at the Hazelford Ferry (). This was the main route to Lincoln and the coast at Grimsby avoiding expensive bridges at Newark and Nottingham. The ferry continued operating until well after the second world war as a recreational facility as it was adjacent to The Star & Garter public house. The public house has now been converted to a residential home for the elderly and the ferry has ceased operation (although the winding gear has been preserved on the North bank).

This location was thought to be the point where King Charles I crossed the Trent on his way to negotiate with the Scots at Southwell, prior to his eventual capture. It was the only part of the Trent close enough to Southwell that was fordable at the time and was far enough away from the Scots garrisoned at Kelham.

Perhaps more importantly it was the site of the baptism of the Saxon court of King Edwin in 627AD. King Edwin was king of all England with the exception of Kent and wished to marry Ethelburgh, the daughter of Ethelbert king of Kent. The problem being that Edwin was Pagan and Ethelbert being a Christian would only allow the marriage if Edwin would convert. Following the marriage on 625AD which for the first time unified the whole of England, the court of Edwin descended upon Bleasby, the Trent considered to be equidistant from Kent and Northumbria, and were all baptised in the shallow waters there by the Roman priest, Paulinus, who later became the first Archbishop of York.

Amenities

Bleasby has a public house near St Mary's, the local parish church, a primary school, three caravan sites for holiday/weekend homes and a walking route around the Jubilee Ponds. The Trent Valley Way passes along the riverbank at this point.

The Trent Powerboat and Ski Club (TPSC) operate at Hazleford north bank, one of four areas nearby on the River Trent

References

References

1. [http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=798405&c=Bleasby&d=16&e=15&g=479483&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1206381793385&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 "Area:Bleasby CP (Parish)"]
2. "Civil Parish population". Office for National Statistics.
3. "Bleasby parish".
4. [http://bleasbyvillage.org.uk/village-amenities--groups/village-shop--post-office.html Shop and Post Office] {{webarchive. link. (28 May 2014 Retrieved 6 July 2014)
5. "From ford to ferry | Newark Advertiser".
6. [http://www.hazelfordnotts.co.uk/about Hazelford – A Care Home For The Elderly] {{webarchive. link. (4 June 2014 Retrieved 6 July 2014)
7. [http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-241957-church-of-st-mary-bleasby-nottinghamshir British Listed Buildings St Mary's Church, Bleasby] Retrieved 6 July 2014
8. Ordnance Survey. (2009). "129 Nottingham and Lougborough". Ordnance Survey.
9. [http://www.nottinghampost.com/EATING-Waggon-Horses-Bleasby/story-12242238-detail/story.html Waggon and Horses] {{Webarchive. link. (14 July 2014 Nottingham Post Retrieved 6 July 2014)
10. [http://www.caravanownersclub.co.uk/Site/Boat-Lane-Caravan-And-Camping-Site-NG14-7FT Caravan Owners Club] Retrieved 6 July 2014
11. [http://motorhomeliving.net/bleasby Motorhome Living] {{Webarchive. link. (14 July 2014 Retrieved 6 July 2014)
12. [http://www.waterski-nottingham.co.uk/tpsc-new.htm TPSC] Retrieved 6 July 2014