St Edwards Secret Tunnels?

The following account is in the form of a series of e-mails exchanged between myself and Jim Capper regarding a series of tunnels, under and close to St Edwards church in the town of Leek located in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

I have seen the entrances to three tunnels, now bricked up, beneath the church opposite to what was “ Petty France” access was gained via the external door, now removed and blocked . This gave entry to a slope and large area where local people and their livestock could have sanctuary. One tunnel went down St Edwards Street, another down Mill Street and the third towards the Abbey.

Hi Jim,

         Thanks for the e-mail regarding tunnel entrances. I would be interested in getting some photos of them and doing some research. Perhaps we could get together when the lock down is lifted? Regards Gary.

Subject: Re: Tunnel entrances

Good morning Gary, Thant’s for your message.

  The tunnel entrances I refer to are completely different to those mentioned by Brian Hartley in “ Ludchurch” and are situated beneath the main entrance or Narthex of the church.
  My interest was fuelled by reading Millers “ Old Leek” and talking to friends, long gone, who were avid church goers and lived in Leek all their lives.

  I am surprised that there is little advertised about the tunnel entrances I refer to as access was quite easy.

  If you stand at the back of the church, under and slightly right to the “Rose window “ you will see a doorway recently blocked. This was the entry to a paved underground area where locals with livestock could shelter in times of crisis access being gained via a ramp. Look down to your left and on the first layer of stonework you will see a solitary air brick.

   On examining this paved area I saw a wooden trap door in the far left hand corner. This gave me access to a hole about 5 ft deep and about 8 ft square.

Directly in front of me and in the direction of St Edwards Street was a tunnel entrance, recently bricked up. I could see the sides of the tunnel it was not brick lined, but cut from solid rock. Above the entrance to this one was a cross cut into the stonework( indicating the Convent at Compton, who knows)

 Turned through about 45% I saw a similar entrance going in the direction of Mill Street or Macclesfield Road, turning a further 15 – 20% I saw the entrance to a third tunnel, running towards possible the Abbey, again who knows.

   I am afraid photographs are out of the question as the entrance is now bricked up

   But what a field day G P R would have.

  All other info I have is I am afraid hearsay. But if I can be of further help please get in touch.

Regards.

Jim Capper

Hi James,

                Thanks for taking the time to reply to my e-mail. I would like to write an article about these tunnels and hopefully take some photos when things have calmed down. Would it be okay to reproduce your email which you sent to me regarding the tunnels. I would give you full credit for the story, I do think that it is important to record information like this as I would hate to think that it would become lost over time.

Regards Gary.

Hi Gary, yes you have my permission to quote my e.mail. I fully agree with you about recording these matters for the future generations.

   When I discovered that the exterior door has been blocked up, i got in touch with the Leek Post and Times and expressed my disappointment. I thought that the existence of the “ Sanctuary Area “ together with the ramp could have been used as a tourist attraction and generating income for the church, however in hindsight is is probably due to “ Health and Safety “.

 I mentioned about hearsay, but one story was that in the living room of a farmhouse close to the site of the Abbey was the entry/exit of one of the tunnels, but the then Farmer would not allow any exploration
Regards.

Jim Capper