Agatha Christie in...Churston

Churston

'The train, having done one hundred and eight-odd miles of its two hundred and twelve miles journey at top speed, puffed gently and apologetically through the last thirty and drew into Nassecombe Station. Only one person alighted, Hercule Poirot' (Dead Man's Folly)

In Dead Man's Folly Poirot is invited to 'Nassecombe' by Ariadne Oliver who is creating a murder mystery hunt for a country fair. 'Nassecombe' is based on Churston and 'Nassecombe Station' is actually Churston Station.

You might remember me mentioning Churston Station in a previous blog. Poirot alighted here while investigating the murder of Sir Carmichael Clarke (The ABC Murders). He doesn't seem to recognise the place - although he could be forgiven for not remembering, it was 20 years ago (in book publication years) and the name has changed....!

There are few places in Churston that are linked to Agatha Christie. It is quite close to Greenway, her holiday home, so it's understandable why. Apparently Agatha used to go to lunch with the Churston's at Churston Court. She also played golf occasionally at Churston Golf Course and her knowledge of golf is said to have inspired her novel Murder on the Links.

Another place to visit in Churston is the Church of St Mary's. Agatha donated the royalties from her short story, Greenshaw's Folly, to pay for a new stained glass window. The church is open to visitors from 17-19 September, between 10.30am and 4.30pm. We'll have to make sure we visit on one of these days! There's free parking too. You can find out more information on the Agatha Christie Festival website, or on the Church of St Mary's the Virgin website.

So, Churston is on the list of places to visit, with a few things to see while we're there - Churston Station, Churston Golf Course and the Church of St Mary's.

Less than two months to go now until the Agatha Christie Festival!!! It's getting close now....