Holy Trinity Ardington

The church itself dates back from the early 13th century with additions during the 14 & 15th centurys. More aterations were done in the 19th century with a chapel spire & organ added.
Though I had been to this village before it was the first time I had seen or been to the church and I was told some of the history buy a lady who was cleaning.

Thie view you have coming up the road to the church, the building you see in front is the police station.

 The Holy Trinity Church with path leading to it

Looks like a preaching cross but more like a memorial of some kind.

Looking to the right of the church you can see the churchyard

A view down the nave of the church with the Virnon chapel over on the right

These are a couple of the stained glass windows you can see in the Nave

Had to take this photo of the fon and cover, the pully which would have lifted off the cover was not fit for use any more so was removed and this trolly made to remove it. The cover is 19th century and the font is 14th century. This is one of the biggst covers I have seen since the one at Ewelme

Walking down the nave you see this beautiful carved pulpit which is17 century with a 19th century cover

On the end on some of the pews are carved figures

Here we go through the chancell arch to the chancel

This iis where you really need to look up at the ceiling and teh amazing painting

Take a moment to look back to the arch and on the right you see the organ built in 1886

 The altar though I confess I forgot to take a photo of the chancel window

The altar backdrop painting

as always you will find a wonderful flower display, these are in memory of Terry Biddlecombe who was race horse trainer nearby. The flowers were froma  memorial service three weeks previous

The churchwardens chest dating back to 1638 given by a

 Robert Freetwell

The Village War Memorial

More superb looking windows, the one on the left is an old doorway.

Love this staff

More superb memorials. The statue on the right is called the kneeling lady and made by Edward Bailey who designed Nelsons Column in Trafalgar Square.

Heading back out to the churchyard on of the impressive monuments is this reclining soldier and angels

There are also a couple of war graves nearby

The poppy wreath was by the reclinig soldier so and when I looked at it I noticed it was from the Victoria Cross society and looking at the grave I could not see a mention of a VC till I looked at this grave to /Robert James Loyd-Lindsay










There are other nice memorials round nearby

Along with another wargrave

Most of the graves a quite old and in various states

The churchyard is well kept with none left to grow wild that I could see of like at other churchyards localy

These memorials are built in the side of the porch

The spire & belltower

It is always nice to see nowdrops in a churchyard. Have a peaceful Sunday.
Taking part in Taphophile Tragics & Cemetery Sunday
Inspired Sunday

Three Men in a Boat

I'm republishing this blog again for Inspired Sunday
Now this is not a book I have read though I know most of the places mentioned in it along the Thames near where I live. Jerome K Jerome was a name most of you know but I only found out a short time ago he was buried in a small village called Ewelme so I thought it was worth a visit to his grave. Before I carry on be warned I have used a lot of photo's on this blog so you might want a cup of coffee.

I'll start outside the church at this school which was built by William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk from the profits of the East Anglian wool trade in 1437, next door are some cloistered almshouses I have yet to photograph.

The church  is ajoind to the almsehouses by

this covered walkway.

It is well worth visiting the church which is rather stunning inside as you can see here looking at the chancel and rood screen.
 



Archways like this are on both sides of the church

but you really need to look and view the chancel window which is quite something to see.

As you walk in the church you can see this magnificent carved font cover with it's own winch to lift it up.

Going towards the front of the church look for two chest tombs






















This one with the brass on is to Thomas Chaucer

 His daughter Alice de la Pole lays in this tomb nearby

 This is one of the most amazing tombs I have seen.

Look inside the base through the tracery

and you can see her cadaver.
Thomas Chaucer was speaker of the house of commons and son of the poet
 Geoffrey Chaucer

It's also worth checking out the other intricate features you  can see in the church.

The panels below the chancel window are the ten commandments and lords prayer

Come out by this entrance as you are on the south side of the church

Go along the path to the left and you will have this view of the church.

Taking the path to the front of the porch it will lead you past these three graves.

 

One is Jerome K Jerome the other two are his wife and sister

His grave is one of many in the churchyard

Across the road is a cemetery where you can find more interesting graves.

 The village in one of the nicest in the area and the church though looking simple holds a lot of surprises. I intend to go back to visit again as I would like to get some photos in the Almshouses so if you in the area it could be worth your while spending a couple of hours wandering around.