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After dinner yesterday evening we popped down to Barton on Sea to view the sunset.
This morning we drove around the forest.
The thatcher I spoke to at East End, where the albeit somnolent donkeys were having fun with the traffic,
replied that the project was “beginning to take shape”.
Our next stop was at St Mary’s Church at South Baddesley, outside which Jackie sat on a seat cut into a very large tree stump.
Alongside the church stretches a patch of uncultivated land accessed from an open gateway dedicated to Ken Allen 1918 – 2005.
From here a path leads down
to a playground beyond a locked five-barred gate. I was unable to gain any information about Mr Allen or the leisure area that I speculated must be related to him.
It was quite refreshing to discover that the Victorian church itself was unlocked and welcoming. I found the stained glass windows particularly attractive.
Hanging on the edge of a pew was a gentleman’s cloth cap. If it is yours it awaits your collection.
Primroses, English bluebells, and other wild flowers wandered, as did I, among the gravestones in this English country churchyard.
Most of the stones were quite simple, but there was one angel and child,
and the amazing resting place of Admiral of the Fleet George Rose Sartorius, GCB, Count de Penhafirme who died on 13th April 1885 in his 95th year. This was 70 years after he had served with Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar.
What is particularly astonishing is the knowledge that the credible articulated linked anchor chain winding around the cross was carved from stone.
After lunch Jackie continued working her magic in the garden where I did a bit of clearing up and repelled some invading brambles along the back drive.
This evening we enjoyed our second serving of Mr Chatty Man Chan’s Chinese Take Away with which I finished the madiran. Jackie didn’t imbibe because she had drunk her Hoegaarden in the Rose Garden where we had a drink first.
P.S. Bruce Goodman, in his comment below, has provided a link to Ken Allen, which, incidentally explains that the playground I noticed is attached to a school. This is no doubt why the entrance would be locked during the Easter holidays.
64 responses to “An English Country Churchyard”
It always seems so sad that so many churches have to be kept locked.
Such an incredible drive.. and what a wonderful set of photo’s.. Loved the man at work on the thatched roof… and that Anchor chain in stone in the church yard.. Amazing craftsmanship..
Thank you Derrick.. I always feel I am right there inside your photos..
Sue 🙂
Very many thanks, Sue
Beautiful photo of Jackie.
Many thanks, Oglach
Yes, I liked that, too.
It’s astonishing that the chain is actually stone! And it was lovely to see a photo of Jackie. I enjoy taking photos in the old cemeteries near my home. We have a number of graves from the Revolutionary War which surprised me as I’d thought Michigan wasn’t really settled then.
Thanks very much, Elizabeth
I too love those church windows Derrick – they are stunning! The cap, of course, may belong to Mr Allen…….. The chain is amazing – I would have thought it an actual one!
So many things to comment on in this post–the photo of Jackie is lovely. I like that seat from the tree stump. In some of the shots of the church yard, it looks as though it’s still the nineteenth-century. The stained glass windows are beautiful, and that carved stone chain is amazing!
Many thanks, Merril
I agree, the stained glass is beautiful, Derrick. I love the photo of Jackie…pondering life, perhaps? Great shots!
Many thanks, Jill. More likely thinking ‘Oh, there he goes again’.
HA – funny comment , Derrick – She seems a great sport.
Yep 🙂
Er…that would be 80 years after Trafalgar, I think. 🙂
Great photos of the glass and graveyard, I really like churchyards. Love the Sartorius gravestone – I see from Wikipedia that he was also present when Napoleon surrendered on board HMS Bellerophon, and that two of his sons won the VC. You do find some interesting stuff in your travels.
Quite right, Quercus. I think you will be amused at my exchange with MeLud of Bow. Thanks very much.
🙂
Wow – the history knowledge is stunning here. Bravo to all concerned.
🙂 Thank you.
Nicely done.
Except me 🙂
80 years after the Battle of Trafalgar. 21st October 1805.
He must have been a 15 year old midshipman at the time.
I’m starting to wonder.
Did you deliberately state 70 years to test me; make sure I read the post and wasn’t nodding off?
Thats the sort of thing a Mordred would do!
Go back to school, Brian. The gentleman died in 1885. It was in his 95th year. Q.E.D. (When I first drafted the post I made the same error as you :). ) Thanks a lot for this opportunity.
Admiral of the Fleet George Rose Sartorius, GCB, Count de Penhafirme who died on 13th April 1885 in his 95th year. This was 70 years after he had served with Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar.
70 from 1885 = 1815. x 80=1885 =1805/
Trafalgar was in 1805 if he died in 1885 then that was 80 years after he served with Nelson who died October 1805. He dies at age 95 in 1885 means he was born 1790 and was 15 y.o.a in 1805.
I know maths are not my strong point (a bit like my punctuation)but that seems pretty simple arithmetic to me and I cannot see your workings
Rolling about over here, Brian 🙂
Oh, Sod it. Sod it, Sod it – I don’t know my dates!!!! I thought it was 1815. I grovel.
and I’ve just put the boot in XD
Wellington, I presume 🙂
No JACK! 😈
Touche, Brian
Okay I forgive you.
Naval history is my passion, on the 21st October 2005, I went to Greenwich and the Painted Hall, where Nelsons body lay, expecting a day of great celebration, 200 year anniversary.
I should have known better. :'(
The silly bloody Poms held the celebrations in June or July when they thought the weather would be better. XD
I accept the forgotten apology, hidden in your self flagellation.:evil:
Most magnanimous, Brian. Thank you
I thought the whole world would’ve known about Ken Allen!!
http://www.bsbb.org.uk/st-marys/the-ken-allen-trust/
Love the tree stump seat – at first I thought it was an angel from the graveyard sitting on it, but apparently it was Jackie after all!
Well done, Bruce, and thank you. So the playground was in fact a school. This would explain why it was locked up for half term. I’m adding a P.S. alerting people to this comment.
lovely drive, enjoyed the view and mini breath of fresh air from another part of the “universe” loved the old tomb stones
Thanks very much, Dymoon
It was a post full of unique elements, realistic chain carving, beautiful stained glass church windows, the memorial for a child meeting their Angel. It included roof thatching and donkeys. Lovely and full day of photographs, Derrick.
Very many thanks, Robin
The title reminds one of Thomas Gray’s masterpiece. Eventually, you did break into the resting ground of some very illustrious folks. The angel and the child make me think, and so does the stone carved chain-link to the anchor. What patience and hard work must one put for a priceless work of art like that. Those will remain frozen in time.
Whenever I have visited churches, the stained glass windows invariably hold me still. They can do so even through a photograph. Was I a Christian in my previous life? How old is the cap? I hope the master can still adorn his pate with that.
Beautiful post.
Very many thanks, Uma. I am pleased you spotted the Thomas Gray hint. Unfortunately there were no lowing herds about.
Lowing herds wind slowly – as Uma knows only too well!!
🙂 Nice one, Bruce.
I don’t hear the word, “somnolent” often, so it was refreshing to find it. The grave markers/tombstones are extraordinary; especially the stone carved chain — I’ve never seen anything like that! You always write your posts with such care and attention to details.
Very many thanks, Rose.
I’m always entranced by cemeteries–their quiet and peacefulness, and the way they reflect the region in which they’re located.
Many thanks, Kerry
It’s a beautiful area. I’ve always told you what a wonderful countryside you have. But between you and Beetley Pete, I’m beginning to think the UK is always losing their clothing to a tree!! 🙂
That is often the case, GP. 🙂 Many thanks.
The stone chain was truly amazing. Lovely post.
Many thanks, Flower
So many things to marvel at—the thatcher, the stained glass, the chain carved from stone, the whole post! A great way to start this rainy, gray day in Maine.
Many thanks, Laurie
I agree, Laurie – lots to marvel at.
Thanks, Jodie
I love the thatching and that stone anchor chain–amazing.
Many thanks, Brenda
The stained glass windows are so beautiful. I was delighted when I read the Church was unlocked. I loathe the fact that due to thieves, the vast majority are locked up with padlocks and metal chains. Although the Church doors are locked when Mass is not taking place, the gates are not with the Church I attend. It’s somewhat reassuring.
The Anchor tombstone is so unusual. Thanks for sharing, Derrick. Max and I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
Very many thanks, to you both. We have family with us.
Enjoy. ❤
X
Just imagine: thatching. Normandy had beautiful thatched homes. I loved them. Thank you Derrick.
Many thanks, Micheline
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