Have you ever wondered if there are any fascinating stories in the history of Send village? Well here’s 5 facts that might uncover a few things you never knew!
1) The famous British guitarist Eric Clapton spent two years at Send’s secondary modern school, which is now known as St. Bede’s Church of England Junior School. After his time at St. Bede’s Eric studied at Kingston College of Art but was dismissed after a year due to a lack of work. He had instead spent his time playing the guitar, and becoming a big name on the British music scene. He has been hugely successful and in 2006 he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime achievement Award as a member of Cream.
2) Tudor Sutton Place in Send was built in 1530 by Sir Richard Weston, and was one of Henry VIII favourite buildings. Sir Richard’s son, Francis Sutton was a lover of Anne Boleyn and lost his head over the affair, as did Anne Boleyn…
3) Send was the home of 1950s Formula One and sports car constructor Connaught. Their cars entered 18 Grand Prix and achieved one “podium” place.
4) Send has been the setting for a number of productions such as a scene for “The Tellingbone” episode of Catweazle featuring Geoffrey Bayldon which was filmed in Church Lane using the lych gate and Send Parish Church as the background in 1969. More recently in 2009 scenes for a BBC Drama production of Jane Austen’s “Emma” were filmed in and around Send Parish Church. Hopefully with the development of Tannery studios, Send will be featured in many more productions.
5) Send features in the Doomsday book which was written in 1086, where it is named Sande. The Doomsday book is a manuscript that records the great survey ofEngland and Wales, completed for William the Conqueror.
