When Derek Taylor goes to the village of Deerhurst near Tewkesbury to investigate one of England’s oldest and finest Saxon churches, he’s in for a few shocks.
What a disappointment! That’s what I say to myself as I peer over the huge graveyard at St Mary’s church. Don’t get me wrong – it’s impressive. Too impressive. The 1,200-year-old architecture and art of Deerhurst’s church is supposed to be one of the finest examples of Anglo-Saxon culture. But that was a primitive age in the construction industry. And by a quick calculation, I’d say the edifice before me now is the height of a seven-storey building, surely way beyond the capabilities of eighth-century stone masons.
And there’s another problem. The church gate where I’m standing. It’s like no church gate I’ve ever seen. It’s a shoulder-high sheet of heavy, grey steel and looks more like a barrier that could be electronically slammed against suicide bombers, rather than the welcoming gateway to a tranquil country churchyard. It’s a flood gate. And this makes me even more convinced I’ve come to the wrong place. How could Anglo-Saxons have such a massive structure on marshy land? Well, it’s ridiculous.
I decide to have a closer look anyway, tutting all the way at life’s irritating confusions. The first thing that catches my eye inside the church’s west door is a stone carving. It’s a fresh orangey-yellow, with simple lines. Looks very modernist. The kind of sculpture Anthony Gormley is famous for.
“Hello, there. Can I help?” I hear a voice behind me, and turn. A neatly dressed woman introduces herself as Alice, a local historian. “I see you’re admiring our carving of the Virgin and Child.”
“Hmm,” I say, and, not wishing to be rude, add, “So who’s the artist?”
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know?” she replies. “I suppose some Saxon mason with a talent.”
Esta historia es de la edición October 2017 de Cotswold Life.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 2017 de Cotswold Life.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Gloucestershire After The War
Discovering the county’s Arts and Crafts memorials of the First World War
THE WILD SIDE OF Moreton-in-Marsh
The days are getting shorter but there’s plenty of reasons to be cheerful, says Sue Bradley, who discovers how a Cotswolds town is becoming more wildlife-friendly and pots up some bulbs for an insect-friendly spring display
Mr Ashbee would approve
In the true spirit of the Arts & Crafts Movement, creativity has kept the Chipping Campden community ticking over during lockdown
The Cotswolds at war
These might be peaceful hills and vales, but our contribution to the war effort was considerable
Trust in good, local food
‘I’ve been following The Country Food Trust’s activities with admiration since it was founded’
Why Cath is an open book
Cath Kidston has opened up almost every nook and cranny of her Cotswold idyll in a new book, A Place Called Home. Katie Jarvis spoke to Cath ahead of her appearance at this year’s Stroud Book Festival STROUD BOOK FESTIVAL – THIS YEAR FREE AND ONLINE: NOVEMBER 4-8
From the Cotswolds to the world
Most people know that the Cotswolds have featured in a fair few Hollywood movies and TV series.
The Wild Hunt
In search of the legendary King Herla in the Malvern Hills
Fighting spirit amid the flowers
Tracy Spiers visits Warwick, a beautiful town that is open for business and ready to welcome visitors
Final journey
Cheltenham author and volunteer on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR), Nicolas Wheatley, recounts the fascinating story of funeral trains