Wheaton Aston

Stretton sits back from the busy A5 Watling Street and the name of the village is believed to derive from this fact, ie. 'village on the street'. The village may be reached by following the road which runs by the side of The Ivy House (a local landmark) and turning left along a road which runs through the centre of the village. Stretton is a truly rural old English village given over to agriculture and so is composed mostly of fields and wooded areas.

St. John's Church, Stretton

The most salient feature is Stretton Hall, of imposing architecture and the home of the Monckton family since the 18th century. The family is still in occupation and continues to own large estates in the area.

The main drive to the Hall passes through what is now a spinney at the end of which stands a lovely old castellated building. Made of brick and looking like a miniature castle, this was the old lodge or gateway to the hall. It was in 1847 that Mrs Anne Monckton recognised the Marsh Fever which was causing deaths as Malaria: she then abolished the drive and had the area drained thus creating Stretton Pool.

By the side of the Hall and approached by a lychgate stands the ancient 12th century Church. The old stone altar in the church may still be seen under the wooden superstructure. Other interesting features are a scallop stone which suggests that someone possibly buried in the church took part in the Crusades, and a lepers widow.

The blacksmith's shop has stood fronting the A5 for many years, and although these days there is little demand for shoeing, repair of farm implements etc. keeps the smithy busy. Stretton Mill no longer functions, but some of the stones and machinery are now in the Shugborough Museum.

A village school was built originally to educate the children of Stretton. This was closed in 1981, but the building still belongs to the Monckton family and is now a preparatory school and kindergarten.

There is no village street in Stretton, just one village shop cum post office at the former farm, where most goods may be purchased in an emergency.

In years past, children could safely roam the fields and woods making their amusements according to the season, blackberrying, birds' nesting, nut and conker collecting. Seasonal games were skipping, whip and top, hop scotch, Cock-on-the-Midden, and of course in winter snowballing, sliding and sledging whilst the gentry skated on the frozen pool.

There is only one gardener employed in the village, there are still 6 Tied cottages, the estate works no land (but a farming partnership farms some of the land, the rest being tenanted). There is now a smallholding in the village centre called 'Roses du Temps Passé'. Here old fashioned roses are grown for export. In general appearance the village seems to have changed little over the years.