Saturday 19 October 2013

St Mary the Virgin Ipsden


St Mary the Virgin is a small parish church and is just outside the village of Ipsden. 



The church dates back to the 12th century and was built as a chapelry to North Stoke after an earlier one fell into disrepair. In the photo below you can see the blocked up arcade to the South Aisle which has been lost. The porch was added in 1634



On entering the church you are greeted with a wonderful view down the nave to the 13th century chancel arch




The nave as you can see is light and airy















Near the rear you can see a stone font.






















just behind is this beautiful stained glass window.











Above is an organ loft














Along the nave wall are memorials like this one to

Lieutenant Ben Remnant who is buried at Stiddard  General  Cemetery in the  Netherlands along with 18 other casualties





the detail of the top of Ben Remnants Memorial shows he was part of the Rifle Brigade








On the opposite side you can see the British legion flag and war memorials to the dead of the two wars






















going further down the nave you pass these arches which divide off  the north aisle which is probably the oldest part of the church.




 








As with most churches I have visited there is a display of flowers




Looking through to the north aisle you can see the wall has been painted and is probably 12th century











This is the north aisle looking west which was the 12th century Church








The window is Norman though the stained glass is 20th Century










By the pulpit is a stained glass window with a nativity scene


























Steps lead up to the chancel where you have choir stalls







The chancel window is quite magnificent for such a small church




Looking west form the chancel






The WI's work is in evidence with the kneeler's






 The next four photos are of the church taken with a wide angle lens
 Lectern and Pulpit with the 13th century chancel arch
 Looking towards the pulpit
 The chancel showing the memorials in the chancel floor
Back to my normal lens and a view of the church from the organ loft






Wandering outside and round the north side of the church you can see the graves most of which are quite old




some with little fences round





others standing alone




 some belong to local prominent family's which still live in the area




There are also some interesting looking tombs




going back round the front the headstones are kept in good order.










 Unlike other churchyards the grass is well cut



 round all the headstones.

I will sign off with a view of the village war memorial which is a little way from the church down a footpath



Have a peaceful Sunday
Taking part in Cemetery Sunday and Tapophile Tragics 
There is now a Friends of Ipsden Church link on the village website to help raise money for the upkeep of this wonderful little church please pay a visit and read more about it 
In October 1943 a Shot Sterling Bomber crashed a mile or so north of the church killing the crew on board Remeber them
Wallace Jones, Terry Edwards, Kenneth Pollitt, Harold Spence, George Yates, Ervin Spencer and
 Leslie Thomas 
RIP
 


Saturday 12 October 2013

Glastonbury Cemetery


Not sure how I came across this cemetery we had driven past the place but I'm sure I noticed it on an Ordnance Survey Map. It was on my list of places to visit and last Saturday I had the chance. It is set on the side of St Edmund's Hill along the Wells Road with some nice views over the surrounding countryside.




From the road it could be easy to miss with the houses along the side of the road.




The main entrance is through the arch though there is a side one along to the right at the end of the wall.









 Walking through the entrance the road turns left 




and brings you to the two chapels




though after looking through the window of this one it looks like it is just used for storage of the groundmens equipment.









The other one though is available to hire for use and I was pleased to see a wheeled  bier at the back.












The internals of the chapel look as though they have not changed since it was built.











This view towards the chapels is from the lower path looking up the hill. This area has some of the older graves .








Looking down to the lower path across the graves

















 A column  memorial made of marble


























Above are a couple of the headstones the one on the left has and inscription which tells of a Cecil Emery who was killed in action in Palestine  1917











The right hand one has this dove which sadly looks to be eroding away.









Walking up to the top path you get  a great view of both surrounding area and the cemetery




You can view the many different monuments down the hillside




dating back  to the 19th century




 The graves are kept in good condition




















There are many different types of headstone but lots of crosses in evidence
 
Even the odd wooden one



Along the top path you can also see the green burial ground



There quite a few green burial there over looking the cemetery, they are left to blend in with the surrounding area with no markers.






Carry on along the path from the green burial ground and you come the more recent part




Looking down the cemetery to where I parked my car and did enter the place.










Lichen grows on  the headstones
I love finding an angel like this





If you go round the other side it tells you who they are







This grave was one I spotted on the way in and is of Lee Baker who was a retained fireman, he died in an unfortunate motorcycle on the way home from a shift. RIP

Glastonbury Cemetery
Taking part in  Taking Part in Cemetery Sunday & Tapophile Tragics
Have a peaceful Sunday