Tuesday 4 September 2012

Scene in September Sunlight - Wickmere Church


St Andrews Church, Wickmere:  Framed by a startlingly blue sky, this lovely church gave me (both, literal and metaphorical) butterflies. The ancient round tower, generously sprinkled with 'ginger-bread' stone in it's lower courses - a stoic stone sentinel. A smattering of warm russet tiles in the nave roof, together with the alternating circular and two-light clerestory windows - a visual delight. Even the jaunty angle of the pathway draws one towards the church, enticing and inviting expectant Ragged Ramblers to explore therein... and so we did.



Close observers of the Tweeder-Harris physiognomy have noted that my nostrils have a tendency to flare when I am excited. How my dilator naris muscles flexed on this occasion! Generous splashes of early September sunlight filled the interior. The rough-hewn 'rustic' benches of silvery oak; every grain a witness to long gone summer growing seasons, time out of mind. On the aisle wall, a solitary consecration cross; one of twelve painted during the medieval period, and symbolising Christ's apostles (disciples sent into the world, becoming emissaries). 

Having mentioned nostrils, let me talk a little about the smell of this church; an evocative slightly beetle-infused dampness pervaded, punctuated with the faintest notes of wood polish. Heaven scent combined with sun-strung flecks of dust wafting lazily, perhaps disturbed by the butterfly wing of our presence. Here, in the midst of so much that was hand-crafted, I recognise the art and wonder of a special place. 
"Are you having a moment?"
Enquired one of my fellow travellers, gently.

Yes, indeed I was!


South aisle, sun & shadow
Carved & coloured bench-end
Consecration Cross
A left-handed minstrel

10 comments:

  1. Hey this place is really pretty. I love reading your blog and discovering such places in various parts of England.

    I should most definetly go to Norfolk. I could use is as an excuse to interview one of you guys, would really love to have a little blogpost dedicated to you and your work!

    Regards,

    Lillian from W.U.Hstry

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    1. Dear Lillian,

      It is really heartening to have our work appreciated thus - thank you. A visit to Norfolk is definitely something we would recommend, and we think that an interview could be arranged (so long as it involved cake!).

      Huzzah!
      R.S.A.R.

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  2. I prefer a nice rich tea biscuit my self.

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  3. I have a fear of cake ever since a crumb landed right next to me. It was the size of a boulder!

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  4. Excellent photos. Very relaxing to see these.

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    1. Very kind of you to say so. It is gratifying to know that these images are appreciated.

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  5. Beautiful Ragged Ramblers. Great pictures and I love the smells. But the stone is ironbound conglomerate and not 'ginger-bread' stone. Ginger-bread stone is the friendly name for the orange carrstone of west Norfolk, not these dark ironstones that are scattered all over Norfolk. It does have some significance because the ironstones are generally thought to have been used earlier than carrstone - especially in central and east Norfolk.

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    1. Dear Jenny, thank you for the correction. What is the evidence for the ironstone conglomerate being indicative of an earlier date than carstone in this area?

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