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

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

 

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