The Herefordshire School of Carvers

In the church of St Michael, Castle Frome, Herefordshire is a magnificently carved Norman font. It is the product of a group of sculptors who carved distinctive fonts and other objects within the county. They date from the twelfth century and incorporate a number of styles - Anglo-Saxon, Norse (Viking), Benedictine, Western France and Northern Italy. The font in Castle Frome is probably one of their last works, perhaps carved c.1150. The top of the font exhibits bold plaiting and the lower features interlace. In between are figures of the Evangelists and scenes telling the story of the baptism of Christ. St Luke holding a book is prominent in the photograph. At the base, in a different type of stone are three disfigured crouching creatures.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Organ practice

Recently we were in Hereford Cathedral at a time when the organ was sounding. The organist was playing a fiery piece on the massive instrument and at times it felt like the old Norman columns would give way as the deep notes and heavy reverberations filled the ancient space. A few days later we were in the church of St Michael, Ledbury, where an organist was playing gentler tunes on the more modest instrument. The dullish day required illumination so that the music score could be seen and it made a nice pool of warm light to emphasise the focal point of the scene.

photos © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

St Michael's tower, Glastonbury Tor

It is thought that Glastonbury Tor was occupied in the C6. Evidence of occupation between 900AD and 1100AD is said to include a Christian cross head and what may have been monks' cells cut into the rock. The granting of a charter for a fair on the Tor dated 1243 suggests that a monastery dedicated to St Michael existed there at that date. The style of the present tower is late C13 with 15C additions. The top storey of the tower is missing and the floors are no longer there: the view upwards from inside shows the sky. A notable restoration of 1804 preserved what was left of the building. Since 1933 the tower and the Tor have been in the care of the National Trust.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

Medieval timber porch, Brampton Abbotts

Quite a lot of the oak timbers of the south porch of St Michael's church, Brampton Abbotts in Herefordshire, date back to the 1300s when the structure was first erected. Any wood that was rotten and unable to be salvaged was probably replaced in 1907-8 when a wider renovation was undertaken by the architect, W. D. Caroe. The wooden pegs that hold the pieces together would have been drilled out where required and then replaced with new. It is not unusual to find timber porches that have lasted for many centuries. The fact that oak hardens as it ages, and that the tradition is for a south porch that dries out quickly in the sun accounts in part for this.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Patientes igitur estote fratres

I am ambivalent about the work of the stained glass artist, Christopher Whall (1849-1924). At his best his work is admirable: the beautifully coloured, well-drawn and composed windows match those of the best of the Arts and Craft Movement. However, he too often descends into windows that have the maudlin characteristics of Victorian childrens' story book illustrators. A piece that is otherwise fine in every respect can be spoiled by a group of child-angels with "cute" faces. The example above, a detail from a 1905 window in St Michael's, Ledbury, is an example of his better work. The inscription translates as, "Be patient then Brothers and Sisters".

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

St Michael and All Angels, Walford, Herefordshire

The earliest parts of the church of St Michael and All Angels, Walford, Herefordshire, are Norman. However, the chancel, north chapel and most of the nearly detached tower date from the thirteenth century. The overall shape of the building is a delightful interlocking of volumes with the tower's verticality balancing the multiple forms and pitched roofs. It once had a spire but it was removed in 1813. I'd be interested to see how that added to or detracted from the building, especially given the fin-like low angle buttresses; it must have looked like a C20 rocket!

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