St Mark. The church was locked so I just did the exterior. Then the Priory and Raglan House.
(Upper Cam)
I intended to do the interior but people were setting up flowers for a wedding so I moved on.
FRETHERNE, Gloucestershire
A Victorian church with much decoration and a north-west tower.
The church, pretty much on its own, was locked. A note on the board in the porch-cum-tower (which was open) pleaded with the vicar to have the church open. Another note gave a phone number of a keyholder but they were out. I did the exterior and then asked a man mowing the grass in the churchyard. He didn't have a key but directed me to two possibilities, on of which was a plant nursery up the road.
I drove into the nursery and asked someone who directed me to the house. The man there didn't have the key as his wife, who knew where it was, was out. He helpfully tried ringing around. He must have tried at least eight numbers but no-one was home. He eventually tried the vicar. He was fortunately in and I was given directions to meet him and get the key at his house in Frampton-on-Severn.
After asking me for identification he gave me the key and I was soon back at the church. The interior is as equally ornate as the exterior. I can't say I really liked it; the arcade is most peculiar with one pier of polished marble and the others of stone. Several hatchments lay around propped up against the walls - unusually not made of canvas but painted on wood.
Later, I learnt from the woman at the store in Arlingham that this church came very close to closing.
After dropping the key back I headed off to:
ARLINGHAM, Gloucestershire
The church was locked, just as it had been when I visited it several years ago. Fortunately the key is held at the local store. My last visit was on a Sunday so I did not get to see the inside. Today I headed back to the church with the key.
This church sits away from the village and out on a large loop in the Severn. Across the river can be seen the tower of Newnham-on-Severn church. There wasn't a sound to be heard in the hot sunny churchyard.
Inside it was quiet too, but much cooler. The church was neat and tidy. A document on the wall tells of the building of the tower in the 14th Century and lists some of the people who gave towards it including Roger the vicar. Perhaps the best things here are the mediaeval stained glass windows with strong reds and greens. One of the windows shows St Catherine and her wheel. Also of interest a wooden 18th Century font made into a poor box in the 19th Century.
I flicked through the visitor's book; at one stage some ghost hunters had been here - the first time I've seen someone stating that as their reason for visiting. One signed himself "Rev." Did they record anything? I called out loud as I was about to lock the door for any ghosts to make themselves heard. The church bell struck just as I said it, but that wasn't a sign as it was, by chance, the half hour. I then returned the key and headed on.
ELMORE, Gloucestershire
This church was open eighteen years ago but on my visit six years ago it was locked. Like it again today unfortunately. I guess most people would come for the fantastic tomb chest carvings (some of the best in England) and the ruined mausoleum. Both of these are in the churchyard. Yet the church is interesting inside as it has an inscised effigy, several hatchments and a huge painting on canvas in the vestry covering the entire wall (and not mentioned in Pevsner).
I remember talking to the churchwarden in the next village (same benefice) six years ago. This was the first time I'd heard the "we lock the church now because it had a break-in" and then pointed out that if it was broken in to then it must have been locked. I never have liked that excuse (and still don't) because it smacks of falsehood. Why lie? Why not just say "We lock the church because we always have"? Honest and straightforward.
I took the exterior (which is the second time - but I was just making sure) and then tried some phone numbers. Fortunately the PCCs in this benefice have made some provision for visitors (but I don't recall this last time, so it must be a new idea). The churchwarden was unfortunately out (and who could blame her on such a glorious day?)
I then tried the vicar. He was in and told me it would be best to arrange for another day as he was busy. Unfortunately I'd already decided I wasn't coming back all the way out here to Elmore for another attempt - I've pretty much done the area and it's well out of the way - I wasn't going to take "no" for an answer. I explained this and he relented, although he wouldn't be able to come out for another two hours or so. As I later found out, he was new and had only been here for a month, so perhaps I was rather lucky he did relent. To fill in the time I headed off to:
QUEDGELEY, Gloucestershire
I small peculiar looking church (but in the nicest way) set in a reasonable sized churchyard in a built-up area with lots of modern housing. I felt certain it would be locked. Indeed, given the location I would have given it a one in a hundred chance of being open. However, it was not only open but the doors were flung wide open. By the look of the noticeboard I'd say they have a very active congregation here and have no hesitation in leaving the church open for all. The only thing they lacked was a visitor's book (which really was rather a shame). No-one was around.
The Victorians had a go here and supplied the north corner of the chancel/nave with a most unusual crossed squint, that is, squints at right angles and intersecting; one from the north aisle to chancel and the other from nave to north chancel chapel. The north chancel chapel is glassed off but contains nothing of interest.
In the chancel an ancient brass. In the short south aisle a range of monuments including a really nice late 17th Century one.
I liked this church and I'm pleased it was open.
STANDISH, Gloucestershire
One enters the churchyard next to a large hall of mediaeval origins. The church was open. Inside it's long and very wide. And rather empty too. On the south wall of the nave is a large monument to an ancestor of Winston Churchill. The west end is dominated by a gallery and organ in 17th Century style but all of the 20th Century. The east window is quite special and must certainly be of a one-off design.
Two women arrived, one old and one young. They pottered around in the vestry and then left. I finished and then headed back for my appointment at:
ELMORE, Gloucestershire
I arrived early and sat in the sun. A man and woman arrived. They didn't introduce themselves but as the man had a key I assumed he was the vicar.
Inside were the items I mentioned before. Once I finished I headed off to the other church in this benefice I hadn't done.
HARDWICKE, Gloucestershire
I did the exterior and then waited for the vicar to arrive. He and the woman soon did. The nave is unremarkable. The chancel has a south chapel and this is full of tomb chests, which is quite unusual. Between this chapel and the chancel is a tomb chest with recumbent effigy on it.
MORETON VALENCE, Gloucestershire
Locked, like it was on my visit six years ago. This time, however, several people listed with phone numbers. All but one were out. A man told me he'd come around to the church and unlock it. He arrived but unfortunately his wife was out and she had the key.
On the north side is an ancient porch which shelters a Norman tympanum showing St Michael fighting the dragon.
HARESFIELD, Gloucestershire
The church at the end of a private drive that goes past a house. Sadly locked. I rang one of the churchwardens and he came down and opened it. Unfortunately he couldn't stay long so I only completed part of the interior. Several good monuments including a large one with excellent figures of Father Time and Death.
I arranged to revisit the church at a later date and then headed home.
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