Another tough day for the cottage

We think our cottage is over  250 years old.... we have some historical reports done by a previous occupier that shows it on the earliest OS maps. We really need a historical architect to come and look at it and give a verdict. 

To give some canal context, our cottage sits in the Churnet valley and the Caldon canal runs below us to the north east. 

The Caldon Canal's key dates include its Act of Parliament in 1776, completion in 1778 (main line), opening of the Leek Arm in 1801, near closure by the 1960s, and its significant restoration and reopening for leisure in 1974, marking a new chapter for this historically important waterway connecting Stoke-on-Trent to the Peak District. 

Key Milestones:

• 1776: Act of Parliament passed for the canal's construction, primarily to transport limestone from Cauldon Low to the Potteries.
• 1778: Main line of the canal completed, running from Etruria to Froghall.
• 1801: The Leek Arm built to supply water from Rudyard Reservoir to the summit level, including new locks at Hazelhurst.
• 1840s-1850s: Saw increased traffic due to ironstone discoveries, boosting its commercial success.
• 1960s: The canal fell into disuse and became virtually unnavigable.

•1974: A major restoration effort by volunteers and British Waterways brought the canal back to life             for leisure craft. 

It would therefore make a lot of sense for the cottage to have been built around the same time as this industry was in the area. Of course the area has always been farming - this is where mine and Rachels views differ, she believes it was always two cottages and now its is one ... people often think it is semi detached based on the fact we technically have two front doors ! My view is it was a cottage with an attached barn, the fact one side of the cottage has had the walls lifted to make the roof line match further encorages my view. I guess the architect would be able to give a clear winner on that score.

The point for the blog entry is Ivy Cottage has stood stoically from possibly the start of the construction of the canal in the valley to today and hopefully for many more years to come. In those years I can only imagine the weather the cottage has seen and yesterday was a blizzard for a few hours.

We lost power for a short period but other than that we woke to a thaw of the snow that arrived as promised. I didn't venture out only watching from the cctv cameras we have.

It's set to freeze tonight and not get much above freezing tomorrow then maybe more snow on Sunday before the rain arrives and washes it all away  - as well as the salt. I am getting a bit stir crazy here despite much to do ! 

Anyhow for interest  in those 250 years our cottage has seen .....

British history from 1775 to the present day is marked by immense change, including the loss of the American colonies, the height and decolonization of the British Empire, the Industrial Revolution, two World Wars, membership in and withdrawal from the European Union, and significant social and technological shifts. 

1775–1850: Revolution, War, and Industrialisation

This era saw Britain become the world's first industrialised nation and a dominant global power, despite significant conflicts. 

• 1775–1783: American War of Independence results in Britain formally recognising the independence of the United States of America.
• 1788: The first edition of The Times is published.
• 1801: The Act of Union creates the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
• 1805: The Battle of Trafalgar confirms the Royal Navy's command of the seas.
• 1807: The Slave Trade Act abolishes the slave trade in the British Empire.
• 1833: Slavery is fully abolished throughout the British Empire.
• 1837: Queen Victoria ascends to the throne, beginning the Victorian era.
• 1830s–1840s: The Chartist movement campaigns for democratic reforms, including universal male suffrage. 

1850–1950: The Victorian Age, World Wars, and the Welfare State 

The 19th and early 20th centuries were characterised by imperial expansion and major domestic reforms, followed by global conflict and the establishment of modern social welfare. 

• 1858: India officially becomes a colony under direct British Crown rule (the British Raj).
• 1867 & 1884: The Second and Third Reform Acts significantly expand voting rights to more men.
• 1877: Queen Victoria is proclaimed Empress of India.
• 1899–1902: The Second Boer War takes place in South Africa.
• 1914–1918: Britain is a major participant in World War I.
• 1928: The Equal Franchise Act grants women the same voting rights as men (over 21).
• 1939–1945: Britain is a key Allied power in World War II; Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister in 1940.
• 1947: India gains independence from British rule, marking the beginning of rapid decolonization.
• 1948: The National Health Service (NHS) is established, providing universal healthcare. 

1950–Today: Post-War Britain, Europe, and the Modern Era 

The latter half of the 20th century and the 21st century have seen Britain adapt to a post-imperial world, engage with European integration, and navigate the challenges of the modern era. 

• 1956: The Suez Crisis highlights Britain's diminished global status as a "second tier" world power.
• 1969: British troops are deployed to Northern Ireland as "The Troubles" escalate.
• 1973: The UK joins the European Economic Community (EEC), the forerunner to the EU.
• 1979: Margaret Thatcher becomes the UK's first female Prime Minister, ushering in a period of free-market policies.
• 1982: The Falklands War occurs after Argentina invades the islands; the UK successfully re-takes them.
• 1997: Tony Blair becomes Prime Minister in a landslide victory for "New Labour", and Britain hands Hong Kong back to China, ending over 150 years of British rule.
• 1998: The Good Friday Agreement is signed, a major step in the Northern Ireland peace process.
• 2003: The UK joins the US-led invasion of Iraq.
• 2005: The 7/7 London bombings kill 52 people and injure hundreds in a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on the transport system.
• 2010: A coalition government is formed between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats after a hung parliament, with David Cameron as PM.
• 2016: The UK votes to leave the European Union in the Brexit referendum.
• 2020: The UK officially leaves the EU after a protracted negotiation process.
• 2022: Queen Elizabeth II dies and is succeeded by her son, King Charles III.
• 2024: The UK general election results in a landslide victory for the Labour Party, and Keir Starmer becomes Prime Minister.