A Trip to a Local Churchyard in Search of Snowdrops

 

A few days ago D and I drove to a local churchyard in search of snowdrops.

This the parish church of St Mary and St Margaret's, Castle Bromwich.  It is a Grade 1 Listed building.  The present church was built by Sir John Bridgeman II between 1726 and 1731 in the neo classical style.  The new church was built around the original Norman church so contains two churches meaning it is a "church within a church". I have done blog posts on this church before so if you want to see inside please see Interior of Castle Bromwich Church

Part of the churchyard has a border planted for pollinators which in summer is full of alliums but the other day there were Euphorbia plants in flower.

The churchyard was full of snowdrops and crocuses and a few early primroses.

It is an interesting churchyard and I have a little booklet entitled "Stories Behind the Head Stones" which gives information on some of the people buried there.  In 2009 a group of volunteers started to clear the churchyard of brambles and ivy that were growing all over the headstones and they researched the lives of some of the people laid to rest in the churchyard.  John Bateman and his son Charles, both well known Architects (Charles was known for his Arts and Craft style houses) are buried there.  One day in the summer when it is less muddy I will try and find some of the gravestones of people mentioned in the booklet and tell you their history.

A few photos taken by D

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It was good to get out for an hour and thankfully it was actually a dry day!!

Photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera and photos marked *D taken by D with the Canon SX50HS bridge camera.  I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's please email me first - thanks.

Recent Reading

 

I don't seem to have written a post on recent reading for some time. So these are the books I have read since I last did a post on the subject.

I am still really enjoying the Cadfael Chronicles by Ellis Peters.

The Farlington Marsh Murders was the next book I read in the Solent Murder Mysteries.  If I am honest I did get a bit confused with the plot in this book - there were just far too many characters!

"The Cuckoo's Lea" is a beautifully written book which has been really well researched. The author writes about many places that were named long ago after bird species.  The book is a really good mix of ornithology, history, walking and exploring using maps, medieval charters etc.

 I read the first in the series of the North Norfolk Murder Mysteries - "Under Violent Skies".  This was a new author for me. I enjoyed this book although at times I wasn't keen on some of the violence shown towards two of the characters.

I thought I would enjoy "The Swimming Club" as I have really enjoyed many of Rachel McLean's books but to be honest I found the book too lightweight. Sadly, I had already bought the second book in the series although I doubt I will read it!

The next two books I read throughout 2025 as you are meant to read a chapter a month as the year progresses. I really enjoyed The Blackbird's Song which has some lovely ideas to get you immersed in nature.  This was the second year I have read the Tree Almanac and I was hoping there would be a new version for 2026 but sadly I can't find one.