Heraldic hedgehog

It is a tradition in the design of medieval and later tomb chests that the person depicted has his (or her) feet resting on an animal. Typically they are animals that feature on a coat of arms (lion, hind, dog, tiger, bear etc). On the tomb chest of Sir John Kyrle (d.1660) and Lady Sybil (d.1637) at the church of Much Marcle, Herefordshire, a hedgehog is favoured for him and a bear's paw for his wife.

 Both refer to the heraldry of the families of the departed. In addition, the hedgehog's old name was "urchin" and this is used in the old name for the locality - Archenfield.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Thirteenth century capital, Much Marcle

The decorative top of a column is known as the "capital". Down the ages people used different designs so consistently that the period in which they were carved can be determined by the style. The capital shown above is in the style known as "stiff leaf", a decorative form favoured in Britain in the thirteenth century. Further stylistic and written evidence enable the capitals to be dated more specifically to c.1230-1240. This example is one of a number of capitals of this period that can be seen in the church of St Bartholomew at Much Marcle, Herefordshire.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Ancient yew tree, Much Marcle

The ancient yew tree in the churchyard at Much Marcle is estimated to be several hundred years older than the thirteenth century church that it stands beside. Most estimates suggest that it is 1500 years old. That would mean that it started growing a century or so after the Romans left Britain. The tree is still growing though an iron frame supports key branches. In 1953 its girth measured 30 feet and 1 inch at a height of 4 feet 6 inches above the ground. A measurement made in April 2006 at the same height above the ground showed the girth to be 30 feet and 11 inches. That same year the tree was pruned and approximately 6 tons was removed. It is not known when the trunk became sufficiently hollow to fit seating. However, it has been in place as long as anyone can remember and can accommodate several people.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

A modern stone circle

A henge is, properly, a prehistoric banked earthwork in the shape of a circle or oval. When it is accompanied by standing stones it is more accurately described as a stone circle. Stonehenge is not a typical henge, but such structures - reasonably common in the British Isles - are often referred to as henges.

Part of the landscape gardening of Hellens Manor at Much Marcle includes an oval 21st century "henge" with inscriptions on each of the standing stones. Its purpose is to add interest and size to the available grounds and its location in a meadow beyond the formal gardens adds to the attractiveness of the feature.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Dovecote, Hellens Manor, Much Marcle

At first glance this brick and stucco octagonal building rising out of the garden at Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, looks like it must be a gazebo. But no, further examination reveals that it is a dovecote. Also known as a columbarium, dovecotes were designed for the production of doves (pigeons) for the table. Their interiors typically have as many nest holes in the walls as can be squeezed into them, with ladders being used to retrieve the birds, eggs and nestlings. This example is prominently dated with the year of its construction - 1641. The large "W" denotes, Fulke and Margaret Walwyn, the owners of the manor at that time.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

A country house cafe

It's unusual to come across an independent cafe that hasn't made an effort to distinguish itself in some way. Even some chains occasionally try to inject something of the locality into their decor. Having said that, it's remarkable to find a cafe that is quite unlike any other - after all there's only so much you can do with a room or rooms, tables, chairs, pictures etc. However, recently we did find such a place. It is at Hellens Manor, Much Marcle in Herefordshire. Different or what?!

 photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Lone trees

It is not unusual to see an unflawed field of winter wheat with one or two large trees marring its perfection. When I do it sets me wondering. Has the field recently been pasture where the animals benefited from the shade? Was there once a hedge containing the trees that was, with the exception of the trees, easily removed? Or does the farmer have a liking for the trees as objects in the landscape or contributors to biodiversity? This pair have had their lower branches removed to allow the close passage of farm vehicles so it looks like they will be around for a while.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10