We came home Friday in the early evening but I wanted to go somewhere local in the afternoon so D and I went in search of the grave of a Russian Princess - Princess Sophia Mickeladze - at St John's, Ivington, just past Leominster. The princess had moved to Bankfield House Ivington during the second world war with her daughter Olga and Olga's husband Captain Sandford.
St John's was build in 1842/3 by William Davies of Leominster in the Early English style typical at that time.
It was restored in 1868 and 1900 by J H Davis.
A rather lovely lych gate from 1921.
First problem was that the church was well and truly locked - I really should have checked beforehand as I have since found it usually is closed!
Second problem was that my source had suggested the Princess was buried to the left of the porch with the grave marked by a Russian Orthodox Cross. Well the West Door had no porch and I walked all round the church and there wasn't a porch anywhere else either. So we looked to the left of the door and couldn't find an Orthodox cross there or anywhere else in the churchyard!!! (I have since found a photo of the grave and it seems it is not marked by a cross but just a "normal" shaped gravestone so its no wonder I couldn't find it!)
There seem to be two possible stories concerning the Princess and her husband but as I didn't find the grave there isn't really much point in giving chapter and verse!!
Anyway it wasn't a complete waste of time as we had good wander round the outside of the church and churchyard.
The churchyard was carpeted with the lovely Fox and Cubs or Orange Hawkweed. Some of you will remember I have planted one in the small garden at the caravan and although it only flowered once it now seems to have split into three plants! I know some of you warned me it was invasive!!!
Stone Cross but not the one I was looking for!
In my usual fashion I had managed to get lost on the way and ended up taking a huge and unnecessary detour as it turned out to Monklands - there's a church there too that is on my list to visit. But when I suggested we had a look round there D was definitely not impressed!
