Date/Time
Date(s) - 28/06/2024
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location
Holy Cross, Ashton Keynes
Categories
Led by Christopher Rogers
Chris Rogers will meet Friends at 1100 in the churchyard at Holy Cross, Ashton Keynes and this will be followed by a visit to All Saints, Leigh. After lunch Chris will guide Friends around St Mary’s, Lydiard Tregoze – one of England’s finest small churches dating back to the 12th century. Historian and author Simon Jenkins wrote about St Mary’s in 2004: “Were the South Chapel to be removed lock, stock and barrel to the Victoria & Albert Museum, it would cause a sensation”.
Further details are below.
If you would like to take part, please email jeremygroom@outlook.com As usual we will collect £20 per head on the door.
CHURCH TRAIL TO UPPER THAMES AREA
Holy Cross Ashton Keynes. This fine church was built about 1200, with Norman arcades. The building was modified in the early 15th century when the tower was added. At much the same time the magnificent wagon roof complete with tie beams was constructed. Most of the interior is original, although the chancel and the east end were given a ‘helping hand ‘by William Butterfield in 1878
Meet at the churchyard at 1100 The church is on the B4696, visible from the road. There is a church car park to the north of the church.
All Saints Leigh (The Leigh) This very simple church dates from about 1250, but was in a ruinous state, and the site so inconvenient to the village, that the nave and tower were taken down and rebuilt stone by stone and moved to its present location in 1898, under the supervision of GE Ponting. The chancel of the original church remains in a field nearby, so Ponting added a very discreet and harmonious new chancel to the newly rebuilt church. There is a magnificent roof, the timbers of which were installed in the original church about 1630.
Visit will be at 1145 Leigh is 5 minutes (2 miles) drive from Ashton Keynes. Parking is on the grass verge in front of the church. Turn south on the B4696 and turn left at a sharp bend, signposted to Leigh. The church is just beyond Hillside Farm. Ignore the satnav, as my satnav takes me to the remains of the old church at Waterhay. If suitable we can then drive on to the chancel of the old church which is in a nearby field. Please ensure that you have some suitable footwear available.
It is a 20 minutes’ drive from Leigh to Saint Mary’s Lydiard Park. Travelling via the B4553 or via Purton you will eventually follow the signs to Lydiard church and house. Note that parking has charges. The cost for two hours is £ 2.25. Cash or app. The Bell Inn at Purton Stoke is on this road and comes with commendations. Alternatively picnic at Lydiard where there are plenty of benches or lunch at the recently opened Palm Bar and Restaurant.
Saint Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze Guided tour will be at 1415 This is a handsome 15th century church close by Lydiard Mansion. It is the interior for which the church is justly famed. Since the restoration in 2019 a whole series of wall paintings and Medieval glass fragments have been recovered and stabilized. However, it is the collection of St John family memorials dating from the early years of the 17th century which are of special interest. Several generations of St Johns are entombed under lavish canopies. Furnishings and glass are contemporary. Most important is the polyptych: a huge dynastic statement of which the five doors commemorate Sir John St John’s illustrious pedigree. (We are being given a tour of the church during which this polyptych will be opened for our benefit). We should be finished by 1600 giving you a chance to walk round the outside of the house. To complete the afternoon there is a tearoom almost opposite the church gate should you wish to stay.