Waverley Abbey

  Waverley Abbey was founded in 1128 and was the first Cistercian monastery to be established in Britain.  it is built on a flood plain to the north of the River Wey and in 1201 most of the abbey buildings were badly damaged by flooding. The abbey was rebuilt in the 13th century and the surviving buildings date from this period. The foundations of the new abbey church were laid in 1203-4 but not completed until 1278. In the 14th century a hospital was added to the monastic site. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. (the history was taken from Pastscape). From what I read the last Abbot decided that it was better to go along with the King (Henry VIII) and keep his head rather than oppose him and end up like some of the other Abbots being executed for treason. He and the rest of the monks there ended up with a pension and their lives. The Abbey was demolished and the stone used in local buildings including Waverley Abbey House nearby.

 This is the first view you get of the Abbey as you get near 

Closer view of the ruins

Quite a few of these round the place, the board shows a view of what the Abbey would have looked like from that point

and if you look up from the board you see this view which is how it looks now.

This looks towards one of the old chapels in the Abbey

This would have been one end of the Abbey

Another information board on how the church was built

Two parts of the Abbey with the wall still in place.

 The near part is the Lay Brothers Refectory














It's the most photographed part I might add

 Being as the arch-work is almost intact

Looking out towards the house built on the site and where a lot of the stone went from the Abbey

They did have a fire in the place from the look of things

This view when it was  use would not have been possible as the monks refectory would have blocked it

The outside of the refectory. You can see where the buttresses used to be and have been removed.

The Monks dormitory from the outside, just over to the right is the river   Wey so I have no doubt from time to time they may have gotten their feet wet

View inside the dormitory which if you look you can see some plaster still on the walls to the left

This on one end of the Abbey Church most likely I'd be stood just outside the Chancel and we look down to the nave

 This is the chancel end looking towards the Nave. The wall either side marks the external wall of the chancel.

I Borrowed this photo from the English Heritage Pastscape site and it gives a better Idea to how the Abbey was laid out.

St Mary's Bettws

This is a church I came across many years ago, I took a few external photos and some of the churchyard but could get no internals. The other day while driveing past I stopped and had look to see if the door was open. I was in luck it was so I poped in and got a few photos.

The churchyard has changed little since I last visited

 St Mary's Church with the path lading to the porch

On the west end wall are some old headstones that have fallen over and become detached from the graves

North side view of the church

 The entrance porch

 Inside the church is quite simple with pews either side

 Near the altar are choir pews on either side

The choir pews on the right hand side of the church

The altar is behind plain wood rails

 The altar does have a nice three tiled backdrop mural

Looking back along the nave

 

A wodden lecturn come pulpit is on the left side while on the rign is a small church organ

At  the back you can see this church chest which I think could well be older than the church, behind you can see memorials which look very old as well

Opposite the entrance is the church font which again looks to be older that the present church

Oyside the churchyard looks sparce and most of the graves are over on the south side

Thes are the older ones you can see here

Most are well weathered and getting eroded

Though there are a few interesting ones to be seen

The north side has some newer ones as well as old

This is on the side of the porch

View of the south east side of the church

I'll leave you with a photo of one of the flower vases in the church. Have a peaceful Sunday

St Cewydd's

Today I am going to transport you back to the 17th Century to a church called St Cewydd's in the Parish of Diserth. As you may guess it is in Wales in a very small village off a main road and is situated near the (River) Afon Ithon.  My wife and I just happened to be heading back from shopping in Llandrinod Wells when my wife asked what was down that road. What was I supposed to do but find out. I knew there was a caravan park down the road and while driving past I noticed a church. Well I stopped (as you do) off for a quick look and after looking inside I was gobsmacked, so much so that not long after lunch I rushed back to get some photos. I advise you to get a cup of coffee and enjoy your trip back in time

The church sign which is common to most round the area

The gates were open which was a very good sign

 Just a shame the car was there or the photo could be timeless

The Bell tower  on the West end of the church and the East end where there were a couple of graves though I did not check the dates on them.
The tower dates back to the 14th Century

 St Cwydd's looking across the churchyard, for once I forgot to get a photo of the porch

but this photo of one side of the  inside might give an idea as to what to expect when you go in.

And as we step out of the Tardis into the 17th century. When I first saw the inside my jaw dropped. I have never seen a church full of box pews before I took this photo by standing the tripod on the font

stood at the back looking down the aisle in the nave 

Looking from one of the razed box pews

The pew doors and names on many

 some just initials with dates on 

 HI 1686 is really going back in time 

 I loved the carving on the back of this pew

but the date was the best bit 1666,  I wonder who sat hear listening to the pastor preach. 1666 was the year the Great Plague ended and the great Fire of London Happened

T Williams used this pew not far from the front of the church

On the north wall of the nave this wall painting of the Royal coat of alms is uncovered I suspect it's Charles I and would have been covered over during the civil war

By the altar you can see more which was plastered over and uncovered

There are a couple of family wall memorials in the church as well

 Plus what looks like another behind a chest on the north wall

 The Altar with box pews either side

One of them has this date carved on it

 The altar from behind the railings

 Looking back down the nave

 This will give you an idea as to how the roof looks, a lot seems original

 The small alcove by the altar is empty apart from a vase but no doubt at one time held the statue of a saint when first built

Th pulpit is high taking two tears, the first of which is used as a lectern

looking down from the pulpit gives you this view of the altar & box pews

looking the other way you see how the box pews are laid out in the Church

Did I say there were swallows flying round the church, must have been over half a dozen but did not want to fly back out the door

Back of the nave leading to the belfry

through the door at  the back is where the bells are played, this is one of the old wheels that the bell is attached to and rope goes round

two of the old bells and yokes

closer view of the bells, one has cracked though I could not see what was wrong with the other

 Mind you the date is worth a look at, 1609. That was the year Henry Hudson sailed into Delaware bay then onto New York Bay and up the Hudson River and King James I of England/VI of Scotland was King at the time.

 Quite a small font can be seen at the back of the church, looks old too

Think that's enough of the inside lets have a look round the churchyard

Looking across the churchyard from near the porch

Some of the many Chest Tombs in the churchyard. It was not easy to make out dates due to erosion

This was new to me seeing a grave with the outline of a coffin on.
The tree on the left as you can guess are children

The older part of the churchyard, the gazebos are fro a supper that is taking place after a choir concert that night







View of the older graves with the odd new one interspersed

This is the family tomb of the Colt Family from Leominster

Headstones and tomb chests

The churchyard and church

Couple of older headstones covered in Lichen

Sorry it has been such a long post there was so much to show I Hope you have enjoyed the tour round this wonderful old church. You can find out more on the church by visiting their website or checking out their facbook page

 Have a peaceful Sunday