Many churches in North Warwickshire are kept locked so I am always on the lookout for events when a church will be open and I can have a look around. I noticed on Twitter last Friday evening that St Laurence, Ansley, was holding a flower festival over the bank holiday weekend so on Saturday I persuaded D to come with me and have a look around.
The oldest part of the church is the south side chancel which contains stonework from around 1050. It it believed the church may have been dedicated to St Laurence as Lady Godiva founded several other churches dedicated to the same saint and it is belived this was because her trusted friend Abbot Laurence commissioned the churches. During the reign of King John the church was given by William de Hardreshalle to the nuns at Polesworth. The patronage of the church stayed with them until the Reformation. Much of the south wall of the nave and parts of the chancel are 12th century although some sections have been rendered. There are Norman doorway arches and the tower is 15th century and contains bells dated 1580, 1609 and 1669.
The flower festival is held annually and this was the 55th. This year's theme was "Rest".
If I am honest I am not that keen on formal flower arrangements but the church was just full of flowers and did look very beautiful. Many people must have spent a lot of time and effort to obtain such a display.
The Norman Chancel Arch has capitals with volutes and leaves and on one abacus there is a wonderful carving of a man being devoured by what look like two dragons. Just look at the expression on the man's face! However, the church website suggests one creature is indeed a dragon but the other is a lamb representing the forces of good and evil.
The Chancel
The pillar on which the urn stands is 18th century.
The chancel also contains some wonderful medieval glass fragments.
The Ludford family pews were placed in the chancel in 1760 by a John Bracebridge.
The West Window was beautiful although sadly obscured in places by bell pulls and beams.
Time for tea and cake
A rather unusual weather vane and a
terrifying grotesque!
The churchyard did look a trifle manicured but we did walk through the part that contained recent graves and I did not have chance to check other areas behind the church. Also missed was a 13th century coffin set in the north wall which may be that of a child or may contain the entrails of a crusader. But hopefully, I will return as I have discovered they also hold a Christmas Tree Festival.
Edit - I've just looked through the photos again and I think I may have a photo of the 13th century coffin set in a recess in the North Wall. It is surrounded by flowers and the caption "a holy rest and peace at last". (see photos above).
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera
Reference. Parish Churches of Warwickshire by Mike Salter
History section of the St Laurence's church website.
Brilliant as the traditional flower arrangements are I think I prefer the displays with 'extras' like tree bark, pottery or moss. I was most taken by the tree branches decorated with Bird of Paradise flowers. Simple design but very effective.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind flower festivals so much, I think it's an opportunity for arrangers to let themselves go and be more free than if arranging within the confines of a competition. Good thing, keeping an eye out for events that mean otherwise closed buildings are open for viewing. Agree, shame about the bell pull and beam obscuring part of the west window.
ReplyDeleteMidmarsh John - Thank you and yes I like displays with moss and tree bark etc. on too. In fact, my son had to keep reminding me not to forget to look at the flowers as I was swooning over the carvings and medieval glass fragments!
ReplyDeleteRustic Pumpkin - Thank you and that is a good point about giving arrangers more freedom outside a competition. So many hours work must have gone into preparing those arrangements. I have seen quite a few North Warwickshire churches the same way although usually it is Christmas Tree Festivals attended. Some are also open at times like Heritage Week. I think some churches display key holder details but the trouble is my time is always so limited especially if family with me that I can't wait for them to turn up! :(
I quite like flower displays, the skills are wonderful but I know what you mean really....I like the wild look too! I like the sound of a Christmas tree festival :)
ReplyDeleteAn interesting church. The fragments of glass and the carvings are wonderful, the weather vane is interesting too. I quite like the flower arrangement that looks like fireworks exploding, that's very unusual. Flower festival and tree festivals are good times to see churches that aren't normally open and tea and cake is an added bonus:)
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Flower arrangements are ok for me. There are a few times that I really enjoy them like when pointsettas are used in great number. I'm a sucker for that every time. I like how easy it has become to find out what's going in the various areas via social media. I love the stain glass window with the dove:)
ReplyDeletePam - Thanks - will try and go to the Christmas Tree Festival as it is always good to go to one before Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteRosie - Thank you. Yes I liked the "fireworks" exploding one too - it was as you say unusual and very clever :) I am hoping too that there may be a few churches open for Heritage Week in September.
Rohrerbot - Thanks Chris. Yes they can be stunning en masse. Yes social media can be very good for finding out about events :) Glad you liked the stained glass dove :)
The floral displays are fabulous :-)
ReplyDeleteCherryPie - Thank you.
ReplyDeleteJohn Scurr - Thank you so much - your comments are always so informative :) There is no need to apologise I think we all struggle to keep up reading with blogs especially in the Spring and Summer.
ReplyDeleteThe west window stopped me in my tracks it was that good. Thank you for the artist and I can confirm the bell pulls and converging panels photography wise were a right pain!! I wonder what happened to the knights with coats of arms - if I go back to say the Christmas Tree Festival I will ask someone!