Blore

Blore is a small village and parish in the Staffordshire Moorlands District of England. It is on an acclivity above Dovedale, three and a half miles NW of Ashbourne, including the hamlet of Swinscoe, one mile to the south, and a part of the parochial chapelry of Calton.

The ecclesiastical parish is Blore Ray with Okeover and the civil parish is Blore-with-Swinscoe, both with slightly different boundaries. Blore parish, exclusive of the portion of Calton, contains about 2000 acres and 273 souls. Swinscoe contains about 1000 acres. [cite book |title=History, Gazetteer and Directory of Staffordshire |author=William White, Sheffield |year=1851]

The hamlet of Blore comprises Blore Hall (now owned by the Holiday Property Bond), St Bartholomew's Church, the Old Rectory, a few other houses and several farms. The hall was first mentioned in 1331, though only one building remains substantially unaltered since 1661. The Holiday Property Bond is a life assurance bond investment in securities and assets. Its 35,000 Bondholders have exclusive asset to Blore Hall.

Blore Hall was the home of the Bassett family, from whom the Queen is descended; William Bassett, the last of the male line, died in 1601 and his magnificent alabaster tomb, erected by his wife about 1630, can be seen in the church.

Blore Church was built around 1100 and is Grade 1 listed. Apart from the Bassett tomb, it has remained virtually unchanged for almost 400 years. It was extensively restored between 1994 and 1997 and is well worth a visit.

References

*cite book |title=Swinscoe, Blore and the Bassetts |author=David and Martine Swinscoe |year=1998 |publisher=Churnet Valley Books |id=ISBN 1-897949-41-3