Dorchester Abbey

 

I thought it was high time to revisit Dorchester Abbey and write a more detail blog that the one I published back  2015 where I only showed a small part of what you could see there. The history goes back from when it was a Roman town but you can read more of about Dorchester Abbey by following the link. As there is some much to see both inside and out I will do the blog in two parts with the inside next week.

 A view of the Abbey Church from over the road with the old toll house in the foreground

This is the path I went along after going through the gate by the toll house

Not sure of the reason for the flowers around the porch but it added a very nice touch

This is the south entrance which has some superb ironwork hinges on the door

Near the south entrance is this preaching cross which lacks the cross on top and is capped off

Walk further over in the churchyard and you get a wonderful view of the whole church

This is the south aisle with the west  entrance and the way you go in

Standing beside the tower it looks huge

You have to walk right over to the north side of the lawn area on the north side to see most of the church

This is over on the east side of the lawn

 Standing near the east end looking along the north side of the church

Over in one corner you find a quite are to sit and ponder

The centre piece is this beautiful sundial

When you walk around the east end you get to appreciate how big the building is

Walking around past the east end of the south aisle

 Eventually you will come back out on the south side

Looking back towards the church and the Museum

Here we look down towards towards the lichgate which is the main entrance

This is what it looks like form the outside of the lichgate

The churchyard is over on the south side of the church and where you will find the old headstones 

Over on the south east end of the church you find more old graves

It is worth walking around to find them

The graves are long forgotten about by any surviving relatives

 I spotted someone taking a photo of this one and asked if they had found a relative but they answered they like the contrast between the headstone and kids slide in the background 

Towards the east end you find a couple of chest tombs

A nearby cottage backs onto the churchyard

It's a peaceful churchyard to walk around 

A family tomb

Contrasting a cast iron cross seems t outshine the nearby tombs 

I have been to the abbey before and had noticed the lack of any reference to the WWII American airbase that was a couple of miles away the lack of war graves very evident the lack of any memorial even more so. While walking back near some shrubbery by the north path I noticed something partly hidden. This stone with a plaque to the memory of the en who lost their lives. I feel it is little to show for what the gave. The airbase was called RAF Mount Farm and there is little to show that was once there, the main part of it now the village of Berinsfield but there are bits of the airfield that can be seen.

Next week I will take you inside. Till then have a peaceful weekend 

I'd dedicating this blog to two gentlemen from my village who passed away in December and January I remember them with fond memories  and they will be missed by many people. RIP

St Agatha Brightwell

St Agatha is one of only four churches dedicated to this saint in the UK. It  was built in 1153 by the Bishop of Winchester, Henri de Blois and illustrates various architectural styles which have occurred over the last nine centuries. The only visible bit remaining of the original small Norman church is the south doorway. The tower, rebuilt of brick in 1797 after the original collapsed with its six bells, now houses eight bells. This history came from Oxfordshire Historic Churches Website 
 

Above the first view of St Agatha along the path leading to the church

Couple of different views of the tower where you can see it is a lot different to the rest of the church

This shot shows some of the older windows that let in light above the south aisle

Along the north side of the churchyard

another north side view

The whole of the north side of St Agatha

 Quite an old rose bush near the porch

This tomb is rather unique in that the arches are fronted by glass , I've not seen another like it

Looking back east along the churchyard










 

and the far corners of the churchyard

Round the west end are more headstones which are older

some which are a little overgrown

and other even more being covered in Ivy

One of the original churchyard walls which is made of Cob, something which you don't see much of

This was taken back in 2010 and shows the cob wall with thatch on and in a reasonable condition

when I looked at it this time it was badly cracked

Just about the far west end of the churchyard

This is the south side of the churchyard

where on the south side they have built an extension

Some older headstones

more from under the shade of the trees

One tomb still standing with slabs from another lent against it

This part has not changed much since this one I took in 2010

The South side looks a little different though















Because you can see the Saxon door with the scratch sundial

The whole side looks a lot different

The tomb which is now in a corner and a corner in the West end of the churchyard

Above is a view you see along the nave  with North & South aisles either side. On the right the chancel



 

Looking back along the nave from he chancel

The altar with chancel window behind

Closer view of the altar and the chancel window

The altar cross & candle holders on the window sill

On the right of the chancel are these recesses

The choir stalls in the chancel

The choir stalls on the right side with prayer desk on the end

One of the candle holders in the church and the church organ

the choir stalls in front of the organ

Candelabra with electric lights in

The pulpit with steps leading to it

and the view you get of the nave from it

The South aisle which had a new altar under the main window

The window must really shine in the morning sun

Over to the right is a new stained glass window that lets colourful light in

At the bottom you can read the dedication and on the wall is a plaque giving the details behind it

There are memorial on the walls but the more interesting one is on the right dated 1642

Memorial to Frederick Kiddle a past rector

looking across to the back of the South Aisle

Inside the tower with it's charity plaques and bell ringing commemorations

Pained bannor in the tower

Another commemoration on the entrance to the nave

The Roll of honour for the village of Brightwell

At one time the church had a rood screen and loft because you can see the stairs that would have lead to it

The obligatory kneelers with the churches name

On the left is the North aisle which is used more for community use as a church room. Flowers by the altar always look good

 

Sun reflecting in through a window in the South Aisle

The church font  and  Coat of Arms

Last view across the nave

I'll leave you with a flower display near the Chancel Arch

Do have a pleasant weekend