Waxwing

Waxwing
"To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour."

From "Auguries of Innocence"

by William Blake

Monday 13 June 2022

Back to Herefordshire - Part 2: Bromyard Scarecrow Fest and St Peter's Bromyard

 


On Sunday the weather was not good - cloudy, cold and rain!  Once the rain stopped D and I decided to pop to Bromyard as we had seen a Scarecrow Fest advertised there that weekend.

Bromyard is near the River Frome and most of the building framework in the town centre is timber framed although many were refaced with brick in the 18th or early 19th century.

A little garden by the art gallery and heritage centre next to the car park.











Although the scarecrows had labels they didn't seem to match the figure.  We later discovered the idea was to work out which scarecrow matched which label. Doh!  There was a stall and we should have picked up the Scarecrow Trail Guide!



There were lots of Jubilee decorations around the town centre.




These 17th century almshouses were provided for poor women of good character from the ancient township of Bromyard. They were modernised in 1962 and seven houses were converted into four flatlets.






Most, if not all, of the scarecrows were in and around the town centre many in shop windows. I think we found about half and there were twenty in total.



















Plants in Walls



Pavement Plants




We wondered up a side street as we could hear music coming from a pub garden. I was thrilled to see there were morris dancers - we timed it well :)

























Continuing through the town centre

No idea what this is supposed to be!






The Falcon Inn where the timber framing with close studding on the lower two floors is 16th/17th century and the top floor timbering is 18th century and is not so closely studded.













I was really sad to see that Flowerdew's - a lovely tearoom which sold vintage items and old fashioned toys - had closed.  We had two lovely lunches here in the past.

Next door is the Time Machine Museum.  D and I visited there some years ago if you would like to see the post please see Bromyard Time Machine Museum




The Old Bakery which operated from the early 1700's until 1952.



The Bromyard Local History Society had a window displaying items associated with the Queen's reign.















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St Peter's Church Bromyard is on the site of a Saxon minster. The present church is Norman and cruciform with a 14th century tower.








Stone baluster with sundial dated 1815.





Late Norman nave doorway with 3 orders of shafts with decorated capital and arches with chevrons.













Above the doorway is a panel with St Peter in relief and an encircled consecration cross.  




I didn't go inside this time but if you would like to look round the interior please see St Peter's Church, Bromyard

By now it was starting to rain again so we went back to to Hatfield to watch some football. Solihull Moors, a local home team, were in a play off game. Sadly, they lost but there is always next season.


Photos marked with D* were taken by my son with the Canon SX50 HS bridge camera and rest of the photos were taken by me.  If anyone ever wishes to use any of the photos in this blog I would be grateful if you could email me first. Thanks.

Reference: Pevsner The Buildings of England Herefordshire by Alan Brooks and Nikolaus Pevsner, Yale University Press, 2017



10 comments:

Billy Blue Eyes said...

You know I have driven through the town on my way to Wales numerous times and have often wanted to drive up to the church which I see on my was in. The town looks a lot nicer that the part by the A44

Ragged Robin said...

Billy Blue Eyes - Thanks so much. It is a very very interesting church and well worth a visit. There is a car park nearby. Free on Sunday I think and for one hour only. I find the A44 or other main roads often bypass the best parts of towns and villages :)

Rustic Pumpkin said...

Looks like a lovely day out, but some of those scarecrows are just plain odd looking. Just got a message. Treasure said he and Timothy think we should rip up some fabric and make them Morris Dancer outfits. This means they're talking behind our backs. Hmmmm

Ragged Robin said...

Rustic Pumpkin - Thanks so much. Yes some were odd! lol re: those naughty bears :) There again its a good idea. I have a pad of material squares I could use some of them! Not sure if I could sew it though! But I will ponder and Timothy will have to be patient :)

Rosie said...

A lovely day out looking for scarecrows. Sometimes they are cute other times really weird. I haven't seen a scarecrow festival for ages. Shame about the tea shop closing, such difficult times at the moment for small businesses. Bromyard looks interesting and well worth a visit:)

Ragged Robin said...

Rosie - Thanks so much. I have been to a few scarecrow festivals locally at Lapworth and Hampton in Arden but some years ago. There were some good ones in Pembridge the next day (see next post!).It is a shame about Flowerdews but as you say sadly a sign of the times. There again the building has been for sale for some time so not sure if they owned it or someone else? Lady there so helpful - no online shop but after a phone call she posted me something in the shop I wanted to give D as a gift.

The Quacks of Life said...

as ever an interesting post. I think the last few years has prompted some businesses to reappraise.

Ragged Robin said...

The Quacks of Life - Thanks so very much - so kind of you :) I've just googled Flowerdews - Molly the owner of tea room and gift shop has decided to sell up. It will be missed. Lovely food and cake and gifts for sale :)

CherryPie said...

This looks like a fun day out :-)

Ragged Robin said...

CherryPie - Thank you.