Up High at Uphill

This is one of my very favourite local destinations.  To climb the hill to the old church of St. Nicholas and photograph the headstones in the little churchyard is wonderful.  But then there is the added bonus of the stunning view across the bay to Worlebury Hill.  What beautiful places my search for graves (and loos) take me too.  

For those who tread in my footsteps and who may need a place to “Spend a Penny” without buying a lunch in a local restaurant or a pint in the local pub there is a place to head for.  Along Links Road, just on from the boatyard, the public convenience has recently been refurbished.  The gleaming colours of blue and white bear testimony to the fact that this facility is now operated by Weston Town Council.  

In the quaint churchyard atop the hill can be found the grave of a famous detective from New Scotland Yard.  It was the search for this grave which first took me to Uphill.  In a former, much younger life, I spent many years working in that iconic police building and I return occasionally to give talks to the Metropolitan Police History Society.  Perhaps one day I may tell the story of Frank C. Froest and show the photographs which I have taken in the churchyard of St. Nicholas.

Very briefly, Frank C. Froest spent a 34 year career with the Metropolitan Police working his way up through the ranks from Constable to Superintendent. 

 Sgt. Frank Froest

During this time he dealt with some very high profile cases – and got into some scraps. His body bore the scar of a knife wound given to him by a murderous Italian, but on retirement in 1912 he was described as being “in perfect physical condition, his muscles like steel and his sinews like whipcord”.

It was at the Ascot races that news of Supt. Froest’s retirement reached the King.  People were waiting to see the Royal party leave but suddenly messengers were seen darting left, right and centre in search of the Superintendent.  “The King wants him at once in the Royal Box – he will not go until he has seen him”.  Had there been a robbery?  Had there been an assassination attempt?  No - nothing like that at all.  Somebody had mentioned to His Majesty that Supt. Froest was about to retire and the King wanted to make certain that he was able to shake his hand and bid him a long and happy life.

Froest retired to Weston-super-Mare and took up a second career as Hon. Superintendent of the Royal West of England Sanatorium.  His wife died shortly after his retirement and is buried in Yatton along with their young son who had died back in the 1880s.  Frank Castle Froest MVO JP died on 7^th. January 1930 after an operation in Weston Hospital. 

On the day of the funeral it was snowing heavily as the memorial service was held in the Sanatorium Chapel.  Following the service the coffin was borne from the chapel by four Police Sergeants and two Constables.  In the midst of the snowstorm the cortege made its way up to Uphill Old Church where the coffin was laid in a grave lined with ivy and white asters.  There were many floral tributes amongst which was one which read “With deep sympathy from the Criminal Investigation Department, New Scotland Yard”. 

A few months later details of Mr. Froest’s will were published in the local newspaper.  His medals were left to his daughter to be retained in her family as heirlooms.  An anecdote to this story is that some 70 years later the medals were put for auction and made £1500.  Such is life in the 21^st. century. 

If on some winter’s day you should notice a lone figure making her way up the hill to the churchyard amidst a snowstorm then it might be me.  My photo archive is sorely in need of pictures of Mr. Froest’s grave with large sparkling snowflakes falling all around!!