Birch, Little

6 BIRCH, LITTLE (D.c.)

(O.S. 6 in. XLV, N.E.)

Little Birch is a small parish, about 5 m. S. of Hereford.

Ecclesiastical

(1). Parish Church of St. Mary, stands near the middle of the parish. It was entirely re-built in 1869, but retains, from the old church, the following:—

Fittings—Font: round bowl with cable-ornament round base, 12th-century, repaired, stem and base modern. Plate: includes an Elizabethan cup with band of engraved ornament round bowl; cover-paten of pre-reformation origin with traces of engraved vernicle or a heart on a cross; on the handle is inscribed "Letul Burche, 1576," the date when it was re-made.

Secular

(2). New Mills Farm, house 1 m. S.E. of the church, is partly of two storeys with attics and partly of one storey with attics; the walls are timber-framed and the roofs are covered with slates. It was built in the 17th century on an L-shaped plan with the wings extended towards the E. and S. The S. and W. walls of the S. wing have been re-built in stone. Inside the building, the chamfered ceiling-beams are exposed.

Condition—Good.

(3). Upper House, 200 yards S.S.E. of the church, is of two storeys with attics; the walls are timber-framed and plastered. It was built probably late in the 15th century, but is now roofless and ruinous. Inside the building are some chamfered ceiling-beams.

Condition—Ruinous.

(4). Barn, at Church Farm, 60 yards S. of the church, is a largely modern building of rubble; the E. wing dates from late in the 17th century.

Condition—Good.

(5). Barn, 140 yards N.W. of the church, is timber-framed with a modern iron roof. It was built in the 17th century, and has a porch on the N. side.

Condition—Fairly good.