On Thursday the weather was similar to Wednesday ie heavy drizzle at times but in the afternoon I ventured to another local church - St Michael's at Bockleton. I have visited this church too before but could only see the exterior and churchyard as the church was closed but this time it was open.
The West Tower is 17th or early 18th century, the nave Norman and the chancel Early English. According to Pevsner the Rev. E Burgoyne tells of Saxon foundations in the churchyard on the north side.
15th century lychgate.
Norman doorway with blind arcading above and some fascinating carvings on the capitals.
South side of the church. I didn't explore the churchyard or exterior as much this time as I had had a good look round last visit.
Another Norman doorway - obscured somewhat by a portaloo!!!!!
Church Interior
There was a Woodyer Restoration in 1862 - I assume most of the furnishings date from then. I only have an earlier version of Pevsner for Worcestershire and it doesn't have as much information as the new editions which I have for Herefordshire and Warwickshire.
Font
Looking towards the chancel from the nave.
Biblical texts
War Memorial Tablets in the nave
Pulpit and lectern
The East Window by Kempe 1905
The Family Chapel
This tomb chest of a young man is interesting and is by T Woolner London 1867.
The tomb is of William Wolstenhome Prescott died 1865 and has a marble effigy with below a carving of a young man holding the hand of a dying older man. Prescott later died of the fever he contracted from the dying gamekeeper.
On the wall is a plaque which says The gamekeeper was James Brown from Northamptonshire. Died at Kyre 23rd October 1865 aged 42 years of typhus fever. He is buried at St Mary's Kyre.
I've been to St Mary's at Kyre for yet another brief visit but when we go to Kyre Park again I will go the church and see if I can find the grave for James Brown.
At long last something not Victorian. Sorry a lot of photos of this monument but I found it so interesting and I am just fascinated by heraldry.
The sandstone monument is dated 1574 and the effigies are of Richard Barneby and his wife. Note the helmet between their heads. The detail in the clothes is really quite amazing.
The weepers above the effigies are their children.
Pevsner describes this carving as a boy blowing bubbles and in the photo below Old Father Time.
The nave
Mounting block by the second lychgate.
I walked a few hundred yards along the lane to the War Memorial.
I hope everyone is staying safe and well.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330. If anyone would like to use any of my photos I would appreciate an email - thanks so much.
Reference:"The Buildings of England Worcestershire" Nikolaus Pevsner Published 1968
