Church Tours in 2006
We had the usual two car crawls this year. The first was to Eastham, Hanley William, Stoke Bliss, Kyre Village Hall for tea and then to Kyre church itself. This marathon finished at Bockleton where they were holding a fair at which several of our visitors bought plants and books, etc. The second tour was to Little Malvern Priory, Welland, Hanley Castle, Hanley Swan Village Hall for tea and finally to the church. There was a craft sale at Welland which was enjoyed by all of us in spite of the shortage of space for both functions for half an hour! As ever the weather, the teas and the welcome was excellent on both day. it is so rewarding to meet the people and see the churches that the Trust has aided in the past.
The coach trip was to the Vale of the Severn. We reached Berkeley to see a wonderful church by a stately castle. We were entertained to a very useful talk by Mr. Peter Yardley whose encyclopaedic knowledge of the church was phenomenal. We had an additional attraction in that, by kind permission of Mr. John Berkeley, we were able to visit the interior of the famous Berkeley Mausoleum, not normally open to the public. After this splendid start, we visited Slimbridge with its lead font and led by Jackie Taylor, our pub specialist, we enjoyed an extremely good lunch. Well satisfied, we went to the lonely church at Arlingham which promised much and did not disappoint. Then to Frampton-on-Severn to see another lead font (different date though) and huge Royal Arms. Tea loomed at their village hall, provided by the local W.I. That consumed, the weary organiser was presented with a framed picture of Little Malvern as this coach trip was his last. The generosity of our faithful crawlers is beyond praise – but a sincere “Thank you” to you all. Lastly, in the gathering gloom, we reached Elmore to be amazed by the glorious collection of gravestones – surely the best around and a ruined mausoleum – our cup was full!
Our last event in October was a walk for 26 people through Stourbridge to visit Amblecote church – here the vicar, Canon Tongue gave us a very full description of this light and welcoming church. Then on to the Unitarian Chapel where Mr Mearman entertained us on their splendid organ – a first for us here and in a chapel almost unaltered since it was built in 1788. On to St. Thomas’, huge and older than the Georgian churches in Worcester; considerable repairs are planned here in this important church and a great building for Stourbridge. Lastly, we visited the Friends’ Meeting House of 1684, the oldest building in the town. Humble and quiet, it gave us a perfect finish to a hectic day.
Mike Wall
Trustee
The coach trip was to the Vale of the Severn. We reached Berkeley to see a wonderful church by a stately castle. We were entertained to a very useful talk by Mr. Peter Yardley whose encyclopaedic knowledge of the church was phenomenal. We had an additional attraction in that, by kind permission of Mr. John Berkeley, we were able to visit the interior of the famous Berkeley Mausoleum, not normally open to the public. After this splendid start, we visited Slimbridge with its lead font and led by Jackie Taylor, our pub specialist, we enjoyed an extremely good lunch. Well satisfied, we went to the lonely church at Arlingham which promised much and did not disappoint. Then to Frampton-on-Severn to see another lead font (different date though) and huge Royal Arms. Tea loomed at their village hall, provided by the local W.I. That consumed, the weary organiser was presented with a framed picture of Little Malvern as this coach trip was his last. The generosity of our faithful crawlers is beyond praise – but a sincere “Thank you” to you all. Lastly, in the gathering gloom, we reached Elmore to be amazed by the glorious collection of gravestones – surely the best around and a ruined mausoleum – our cup was full!
Our last event in October was a walk for 26 people through Stourbridge to visit Amblecote church – here the vicar, Canon Tongue gave us a very full description of this light and welcoming church. Then on to the Unitarian Chapel where Mr Mearman entertained us on their splendid organ – a first for us here and in a chapel almost unaltered since it was built in 1788. On to St. Thomas’, huge and older than the Georgian churches in Worcester; considerable repairs are planned here in this important church and a great building for Stourbridge. Lastly, we visited the Friends’ Meeting House of 1684, the oldest building in the town. Humble and quiet, it gave us a perfect finish to a hectic day.
Mike Wall
Trustee
