Foggy churchyard thoughts

It seems to me that the charms of the churchyard are lost on many people. Where some see visual and historic interest, a haven for wildlife, and a place to pause a while, others are reminded of the only certainty in life - death. For that kind of mindset a churchyard often becomes a place to avoid. With a covering of mist or fog a churchyard acquires an air of Gothic mystery - also something to be embraced or shunned. I converted my photograph of St Mary's churchyard, Ross on Wye, to black and white to add a Dickensian or Victorian flavour to the image.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

St Mary, Ripple, Worcestershire

Last year we visited the very charmingly named Worcestershire village of Ripple and tried to gain access to the church. It was locked. However, the exterior seemed to promise much and we determined then to try again, which we did in December when it happened to be open (see a following post). As far as the exterior goes the unbuttressed tower and some narrow, rounded arch windows tell of Norman beginnings, the tower top balustrade are clearly Georgian, and some columns and traceried windows speak of early and later Gothic work. For such a small village it is a large and imposing church. This can be attributed to the fact that it was a possession of Worcester Cathedral Priory and may well be on the site of a former Saxon minster.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Algarkirk, a photogenic church

Structure and setting are, I think, the two main factors that determine the extent to which a church is photogenic, though light, of course, is capable of overriding all other considerations and can transform the mundane into the magical. St Peter and St Paul at Algarkirk has a fine structure courtesy of the original medieval builders and a sensitive restoration by the Victorians.The cruciform shape is complemented by mellow stonework, repeated and individualistic window tracery, battlements a-plenty and a short, culminating spirelet. Perhaps the tower could do with being wider, but apart from that it is a fine example of English church architecture. Its setting is typical of Fenland churches - a small village location, a surrounding churchyard, and plenty (but not too many) mature trees. Add a lovely May sky with soft, dishevelled clouds and you have all a photographer could ask for.

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