st helen

The mention of Rev'd R H Couchman in the St Helen's story is significant, not only for the church itself, but also for several of the surrounding roads which are included in the District of St Helen within the Parish. The Couchman family lived in Kent during the 18th Century, but one member, Henry, moved to the Midlands as a builder, eventually living in Temple Balsall.

Henry's second son, Rev'd John (1811-1901), became the Rector of St Helen's Church at Thornby, Northamptonshire, from 1847-1901. Thornby is near Naseby, not far from Junction 1 of the A14. Also, he was bequeathed the title 55th Lord of the Manor, Solihull (1859-1901) by Col. Robert Short and maintained close ties with Temple Balsall through marriage.

The Rev'd John's grandson, Rev'd Reginald Henry Couchman (1874-1948) became the 57th Lord of the Manor, Solihull, owning land within the Parish. Meanwhile, Rev'd John's third son, Robert Edward (1847-1915) lived in Edgbaston, Birmingham and was a land agent of New Street, Birmingham (Couchman and Steeds). This firm dealt with a number of estates, including the land owned by Rev'd R H Couchman, bounded by Mirfield Road, Warwick Road, Manor Road and Lode Lane and Olton Golf Course, which became released for building prior to World War II. His only son was a GP (Dr H J Couchman 1886-1960) who lived at places including Buryfield in Upton-on-Severn and Morland, Ferndown, Dorset.

The Couchman family retained strong links with St Helen's Church, Thornby and with Temple Balsall. They also appeared to have had a strong influence on the naming of this church and of local roads: St Helen's Road; Thornby Avenue; Naseby Road; Buryfield Road and Ferndown Road. There is still a connection with the family, though slender, since David Foster-Smith, who worships at St Helen's, is a grandson of H E Steeds of Couchman and Steeds and we are grateful to David for providing this information about the Couchman family.

PEB June 2010