THE CALVELEY ARMS, Handley.
The Calveley Arms dates back to the late 1500’s and was built as a Coaching Inn by Sir Hugh Calveley a local knight and great supporter of the King of the time. During the period from then to now the Calveley has seen many events both locally and in Englands history.
One of the most memorable events was the protection of the village church tower ”All Saints of Handley” during the battle of Rowton, the Kings men held the tower for most of the battle and in those days the tower was constructed of timber. Many roundheads tried to oust them but with no avail.
Until that was soemone came up with the idea of setting alight to the tower which consequently burnt to the ground. The tower was a major lookout point for the battle taking place at Rowton and could be seen from the Kings tower on the city walls in Chester which was the viewing point for King Charles. Back to Handley, one of the Cavaliers was injured the others killed and the surviving Cavalier was taken to The Calveley to “recover” however his injuries were such that he died and to this day it is suggested that the Calveley is haunted by a Cavalier which the locals have called George.
The Calveley Arms dates back to the late 1500’s and was built as a Coaching Inn by Sir Hugh Calveley a local knight and great supporter of the King of the time. During the period from then to now the Calveley has seen many events both locally and in Englands history.
One of the most memorable events was the protection of the village church tower ”All Saints of Handley” during the battle of Rowton, the Kings men held the tower for most of the battle and in those days the tower was constructed of timber. Many roundheads tried to oust them but with no avail.
Until that was soemone came up with the idea of setting alight to the tower which consequently burnt to the ground. The tower was a major lookout point for the battle taking place at Rowton and could be seen from the Kings tower on the city walls in Chester which was the viewing point for King Charles. Back to Handley, one of the Cavaliers was injured the others killed and the surviving Cavalier was taken to The Calveley to “recover” however his injuries were such that he died and to this day it is suggested that the Calveley is haunted by a Cavalier which the locals have called George.
There was also a landlord back in the 1900’s called Arthur Bowey an ex naval Captain who run a tidy house but liked that part of the day when the sun came over the yard arm. He was also in charge of the evacuation of the children from the school house when there was an impending air raid from the Germans.
Arthur would duly take thema nd the teachers down to the air raid shelter and lock them in then return to man the Calveley, when the all clear was given he would let them out to greet there anxious mothers.
However, one day Arthur had a few too many and forgot to unlock the door to the air raid shelter and when the mothers of the local children turned up to claim there little ones they were no where to be seen. He was not the most popular chap in the village! However he was soon forgiven and most villagers saw the funny side of the event.
The Calveley is on the A41 one of the main route roads from the south of England to the North, Wales and Ireland. Nowdays the village has been bypassed and it is once again a peaceful quaint cheshire village
Arthur would duly take thema nd the teachers down to the air raid shelter and lock them in then return to man the Calveley, when the all clear was given he would let them out to greet there anxious mothers.
However, one day Arthur had a few too many and forgot to unlock the door to the air raid shelter and when the mothers of the local children turned up to claim there little ones they were no where to be seen. He was not the most popular chap in the village! However he was soon forgiven and most villagers saw the funny side of the event.
The Calveley is on the A41 one of the main route roads from the south of England to the North, Wales and Ireland. Nowdays the village has been bypassed and it is once again a peaceful quaint cheshire village
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