[1] A brass plaque in the chapel on the south side of the church commemorates its dedication on 24 April 1241 by Hugh de Pateshull, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield.

[3] Until Ashbourne Hall was partially demolished, it and St Oswald's were the town's major monuments, standing at either end of the main street.

As they were before the 18th century when the Boothby's rebuilt and refurbished their home, St Oswald's and its tower are once again the major landmark, and the church is the town's main attraction.

It was given to the church by Mr and Mrs Peveril Turnbull of Sandybrook Hall and it commemorates their daughters who died in a local fire.

Girls play the organ dressed in medieval clothes with flowers and crowns in their hair and the celestial city is visible in one panel, viewed through a thicket of thorns.

It is an exquisite and highly realistic sculpture made from Carrara marble (Italian) in the form of a sleeping child.

Sir Brooke Boothby was a minor poet, now known mainly for the sonnets which he wrote after his daughter's death – "Sorrows Sacred to the Memory of Penelope", which was illustrated with engravings of pictures by Fuseli and Glover.

How many a tale their music tells Of youth and home and that sweet time When last I heard their soothing chime.

And so 'twill be when I am gone: That tuneful peal will still ring on While other bards shall walk these dells, And sing your praise, sweet evening bells.