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St Mary, Radwinter, Essex
Towards the end of the long, harsh winter of 1814, a baby girl was born to the unmarried daughter of a Radwinter farm labourer. The new young mother, Mary Darnel, brought her infant to Radwinter church for baptism on 6th March that year, where she was christened Abigail. The name of the father of the child was not recorded in the registers. When Abigail was 18 years old, she married James Reynolds from the neighbouring parish of Great Sampford, here at Radwinter church. This is of interest to me, because James and Abigail were my great-great-great-grandparents.
I had long wanted to see inside Radwinter church. Of all the baptismal churches of my thirty-two great-great-great-grandparents, this was the last one where I had not photographed the font, if it survived, or at least a shot down the church towards the chancel, a view with which they would later have become familiar. Over the last few years I had tried several times to see inside, but on each occasion I had been rebuffed for various reasons. And it was not just family history that enticed me, for Radwinter church is one of the crowning moments of the 19th Century Anglican ecclesiological revival.
The rector here from 1865 to 1916, a little over half a century, was the Reverend John Frederick Watkinson Bullock. Over the later years of the 19th Century he bankrolled and drove through two major restorations, more like rebuildings, at the hands of two of the major architects of the Arts and Crafts revival, William Eden Nesfield and Temple Moore. The chancel, aisles and clerestory were rebuilt in the 1860s, and then in the 1880s came the rebuilding of the tower and a considerable refurnishing of the interior. This left a spectacularly rich church, dripping in splendour and suited and booted for the highest Anglo-catholic worship. But would we be able to see it?
It was about midday when John and I arrived in Radwinter. On a previous visit I had called at the rectory, but no one was in. I was happy to try this again, for in the porch of the church (which we will return to in a moment) there were no notices suggesting how we might otherwise see inside, other than that there was a coffee morning inside the church from 10 am to 1 pm on the first Saturday of every month.
And then I found the phone number of the parish administrator on a newsletter. It gave details of her days and hours of duty, and it so happened that this was one of them. I rang her, she quickly answered, she was very helpful, but it turned out that she was administrator for a whole group of parishes, and she didn't live in Radwinter. She was happy to give me the number of the woman who she thought had the key. Unfortunately, she didn't have that number, although she was sure she had recently seen it somewhere, so we agreed that I would ring off and she would call me back when she had found the number.
John and I wandered around the churchyard, which is deliciously unkempt and overgrown. The church is also rather unkempt and overgrown I am afraid, the chancel gutters bulging with weeds, slates loose on the vestry roof and the leading bulging in a chancel window.
After about five minutes, the nice lady rang back. No, she hadn't found the number. But she had phoned the team rector, who had told her that that woman who'd she'd thought had the key didn't have a key anymore anyway. He had explained carefully to her that the church was locked 'for insurance purposes'. I always wonder what this means, as the opening line in the advice given by the largest church insurance company Ecclesiastical Insurance is If possible, your church should be open during the day. Did it mean they weren't actually insured? Or was it that, in this case, the insurance company had special reasons for wanting the church locked without a keyholder notice?
Fortunately, the rector had given her the number of another lady, who did have the key, and this was the person I should ring. Thanking the kind parish administrator profusely, I rang off and did so. The new lady was very happy to come and open up, but as she'd just made her lunch, could we arrange a time later? In the end, we agreed on 1.30, and then John and I went off to explore Great Sampford and Little Sampford, both of which were open of course.
Was it worth waiting ninety minutes for? Most certainly yes, it was. Radwinter church is outstanding of its kind. To start with, there is that porch. This will be familiar to almost anyone who has looked at more than a few books about churches, because it is so singular and so regularly photographed. The lower part is 14th Century, but the upper part is half-timbered and jetties out above it. It was the 1880s work of Temple Moore, to Eden Nesfield's design.
You step through it into what was a dark church on this gloomy day, but then the kind lady flipped the switches to illuminate the chancel and clerestory, and it was at once magical, like a great London Anglo-catholic temple. This was an extremely High Church place in its day, even for this traditionally High Church part of Essex in Thaxted's orbit. A vast, ornate wrought iron screen, based on one in Milan cathedral and made to Temple Moore's design by a local workshop in the preferred Arts and Crafts manner, separates the chancel from the wide nave. No natural light intervenes except from above, all else is shadows and glows, reflections and whispers.
The great reredos at the high altar is early 16th Century Flemish. It depicts scenes in the life of the Blessed Virgin. The Reverend Bullock bought it in a London auction house in the 1880s. The outer wings were added by Temple Moore after its restoration and installation here. In the north aisle chapel is another delight, a 15th Century Italian triptych depicting the Blessed Virgin and child, flanked by two Saints. All these things are alarmed, of course.
Was the tradition here still Anglo-catholic? No, it wasn't, not really, said our host. Ten years ago perhaps, she added wistfully. There are signs of this, of course - the south aisle altar has now gone, replaced by a children's corner, and there is no smell of incense, no frontal on the altar.
The 1880s glass in the nave is by Isaac Alexander Gibbs, and there is also some glass in the vestry signed by Eden Nesfield. Abigail Darnel's font has gone, to be replaced by a solid job of the 1870s with a towering font cover.
It is all remarkable, and as John said it couldn't be left open as it stands, and to make it safe to open would be to ruin what it is. So there we are. But it would be nice if it was easier to visit outside of service and coffee times. After the struggle, it was with something of a sense of relief that we hit the road again en route for Helions Bumpstead.
Broad Hill is located close to Pittodrie Stadium home of Aberdeen Football Club and Kings Links golf course, I pass by it every time I drive down towards Aberdeen Harbour or when I visit the Trinity Cemetery that also is located nearby.
Broad Hill has an interesting history, bombed during WW2 , with evidence of shrapnel damage still evident today along the wall of Trinity Cemetery at Park Road and on numerous gravestones in the cemetery itself, I have posted photos I have taken capturing this history here on Flickr in my Trinity Cemetery folder.
Thanks to the magnificent Doric Columns for the information below.
Aberdeen's Blitz
Aberdeen suffered the greatest number of air raids in Scotland during the 2nd World War, being under attack on 34 occasions. This devastating effect of the last attack on the night of Wednesday 21st April 1943 when 31 tons of bombs were dropped on the Northern half of the City. Among the areas hit were Hilton, Bedford Road, Ashvale Place and the Northern Co-operative Society, Berryden.
26th June, 1940
4 High Explosive bombs are dropped on Tullos Home Farm at Nigg without incident.
30th June, 1940
Approximately 20 Incendiary Bombs are dropped in the area around Greyhope Road and Wood Street at 12.35am
2 High Explosive Bombs are dropped in Greyhope Bay area
Many Incendiary bombs fall on the Torry District of town - the Fiddes Woodyard on Crombie Road is recorded as being hit by "few" incendiary bombs. Victoria Road School is burned out completely, and Lookout Post 2 on the roof of the school is destroyed.
The attack begins at 11:45PM, and the All Clear is signalled at 1:20AM on the morning of the 1st of July.
12th July 1940 - Black Friday
Enemy aircraft appeared suddenly with no warning at 12:45 PM and launched an attack on the Hall Russell shipyard. Approximately 16 High Explosive bombs are dropped on Hall Russell, with the majority hitting the Boiler Works. A High Explosive bomb also hits the London Boat at Waterloo Quay. 25 bodies are brought to the ARP Emergency Mortuary at the Combworks in Berryden Road.
13th August, 1940
An attack comes without warning at 10:50 PM.
Trinity Cemetery is hit with an Incendiary bomb, as well as a High Explosive bomb. The latter does not detonate.
A High Explosive bomb also falls on a residence in Seaforth Road, and 1 High Explosive and 1 Incendiary fall on the Park Road Court end of Golf Road.
A bomb falls somewhere "about Pittodrie". It does not detonate, and its location is not verified.
High Explosive bombs strike 200 yards West of the entrance to the Torry Battery.
This folder contains photos I have taken capturing the views around Broad Hill and from the top of the hill itself, it is a spectacular sight on a clear sunny day to slowly spin 360 degrees and view the this magnificent area of Aberdeen.
Takoma Park Mighty Mo- Looking from the front window down Ethan Allen Ave towards the west!. Plume of smoke from Manor circle
© This photograph is copyrighted. Under no circumstances can it be reproduced, distributed, modified, copied, posted to websites or printed or published in media or other medium or used for commercial or other uses without the prior written consent and permission of the photographer.
Photograph taken in Tacoma Cemetery in Tacoma, Washington
Print version: society6.com/VoronaPhotography/Towards-the-sky-xsX_Print
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A view across the River Tweed, southwards towards Howford at a former crossing. Note the old gatepost, made from an upended rail, from which the original gate would have been hung.
Heading towards the Roman Bridge in Cordoba. On the right was the Plaza del Triunfo.
Gate of the Bridge (Puerta del Puente)
This gate has been an important access point to the city since late Roman times (the main road stretched over the bridge, through the gate and up the hill, passing through part of what is today the Mosque). An Arab gate stood here up until 1571, when the mayor ordered the construction a new gate to commemorate King Felipe II's visit to Cordoba . It was designed by Hernan Ruiz III, who worked with his father on the construction of the cathedral. Currently, the gate looks squatter, like a triumphal arch, because the ground it stands on is lower than the streets around it.
The Mezquita or Mezquita-Catedral of Cordoba is a Roman Catholic cathedral and former mosque situated in the Andalusian city of Córdoba, Spain. Originally built as a church, after the Muslim conquest the building was confiscated for use as a mosque and greatly expanded until it became the second-largest mosque in the world. It is regarded as perhaps the most accomplished monument of the Umayyad dynasty of Cordoba. After the Spanish Reconquista, it was returned to its original use as a church. Today it houses the main church of the diocese of Cordoba in Spain.
I think workers were dismantling after Corpus Christi!
Seen from Calle Ronda de Isasa.
The view of the South Staffs line trackbed looking towards Lichfield with the fixed distant signal in the background.
finally, after 2 hours of boat travel from Mactan, the town of Talibon, Bohol is at the horizon. taken one summer adventure this year, right after a downpour.
more pics and journeys in colloidfarl.blogspot.com/
Heading towards Cluny on the coach along the D980. Near the end, just before we got off (to go to the Abbey of Cluny) was a horse riding school (founded in the Napoleonic era).
Cluny or Clugny is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department of the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, in eastern France. It is 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Mâcon.
The town grew up around the Benedictine Abbey of Cluny, founded by Duke William I of Aquitaine in 910. The height of Cluniac influence was from the second half of the 10th century through the early 12th. The abbey was sacked by the Huguenots in 1562, and many of its valuable manuscripts were destroyed or removed.
Route de la Digue
The Tour Ronde
It dates to the early 13th century. Built in limestone and laid in regular, medium bond. It is 30 metres high. The tower is pierce with arrow slits, vertical loopholes. The room on the top level is pierced with seven bays.
horse riding school
A real place devoted to the horse since the Napoleonic Empire, the National Stud of Cluny takes shape at the foot of the famous abbey of Cluny.
More than 200 years of equestrian history have forged an identity at this high heritage site, where stables dating from the early 19th century are remarkably integrated into a park in the heart of Cluny, city of art and history.
Since their creation, the royal, imperial and then national studs have had as their main mission to ensure breeding. Today, the National Stud of Cluny develops its cultural activities to promote the horse industry. In collaboration with the socio-professionals of the sector and local and regional authorities, projects are also put in place, Always with a view to enhancing and professionalizing the equine sector.
The National Stud of Cluny is also one of the essential elements of Equivallée Cluny, a national equestrian center linking the Haras, the equestrian center and the racecourse in a single ensemble, thus allowing to host equestrian events of national and international renown .
A short history of the National Studs: Colbert's decision, under Louis XIV, instituted the Haras administration in 1665 to meet the needs of horses for wars. At the revolution, the first six royal studs will undergo a closure. Then, Napoleon I re-established the institution of Haras by the decree of 1806.
Following this decision, The National Stud of Cluny will be born at the site of the abbey church Cluny III. The first fifty stallions were housed in 1807 in the stables Saint-Hugues attached to the abbey. They are moved seven years later in the current stables.
Time passes, the needs in terms of horses change and evolve, the Haras, at the end of the 19th century, hosts therefore the maximum strength of 150 horses. Today, the National Stud of Cluny is part of the public establishment "the French institute of horse and riding" gathering the National Studs and the National School of Equitation.
In the heart of the abbey town of Cluny, the sounds of the horses still and always rhythm the everyday life of the Stud. The first fifty stallions were housed in 1807 in the stables Saint-Hugues attached to the abbey. They are moved seven years later in the current stables. Time passes, the needs in terms of horses change and evolve, the Haras, at the end of the 19th century, hosts therefore the maximum strength of 150 horses. Today, the National Stud of Cluny is part of the public establishment "the French institute of horse and riding" gathering the National Studs and the National School of Equitation. In the heart of the abbey town of Cluny, the sounds of the horses still and always rhythm the everyday life of the Stud. The first fifty stallions were housed in 1807 in the stables Saint-Hugues attached to the abbey. They are moved seven years later in the current stables. Time passes, the needs in terms of horses change and evolve, the Haras, at the end of the 19th century, hosts therefore the maximum strength of 150 horses. Today, the National Stud of Cluny is part of the public establishment "the French institute of horse and riding" gathering the National Studs and the National School of Equitation. In the heart of the abbey town of Cluny, the sounds of the horses still and always rhythm the everyday life of the Stud. The needs in terms of horses change and evolve, the Haras, at the end of the 19th century, hosts therefore the maximum strength of 150 horses. Today, the National Stud of Cluny is part of the public establishment "the French institute of horse and riding" gathering the National Studs and the National School of Equitation. In the heart of the abbey town of Cluny, the sounds of the horses still and always rhythm the everyday life of the Stud. The needs in terms of horses change and evolve, the Haras, at the end of the 19th century, hosts therefore the maximum strength of 150 horses. Today, the National Stud of Cluny is part of the public establishment "the French institute of horse and riding" gathering the National Studs and the National School of Equitation. In the heart of the abbey town of Cluny, the sounds of the horses still and always rhythm the everyday life of the Stud.
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With the hovercraft terminal in the foreground and Hampshire in the background, unit no 006 plods along Ryde pier towards Pier Head station.