A few days ago I remembered a church I visited over 25 years ago.
"Let's go to Woolhope! I declared.
The sat nav couldn't locate it.
"Well it's only a small place. it's not far from Cheltenham.."
I couldn't be bothered to go back indoors and start up my computer, so we decided to head off for Saintbury, and see if we discovered it by accident on the way....
We missed the turning and ended up following a man riding a horse and leading another, until we got the chance to overtake.
We passed him and then discovered a roundabout, so we were able to turn round.
"Do you think he will notice that the car that followed him is now going in the opposite direction...?"
We found the church at Saintbury, but the ground was sodden places in the few places that were safe to park on the narrow hill.
We decided to leave Saintbury for another day.
Then I had a bright idea.
I decide to try locating the village on my phone, but Google wants to take us to Herefordshire.
"Are you sure it isn't in Herefordshire..."
No, It's near Cheltenham! I am sure.
Last time I visited the church was to ring, so I started checking out the ringing association that covered the area.
We find a safe place to park further up the hill. While I am waiting for the page to load on my phone, guess who comes down the hill, yes the guy with the 2 horses...
The page finally opens and I realise it is WOOLSTONE not Woolhope...doh!
The sat nav knows this place, just outside Bishop's Cleeve, so off we set. I also found it easily on the map once I had the name right.
If you look closely you will notice that the tower is not straight. Unuually this is not the fault of the photographer, it is caused by the unstability of the hill the church is built on. Fortunately the church has been underpinned, so although it leans it will not fall down. The bells are a light ring, and 25 years later I remember how disconcerting it was when the ropes came down no where near parallel to the walls!
Woolstone church is also famous for being the scene of the murder of 2 soldiers, who sought sanctuary after the Battle of Tewkesbury during the War of the Roses, and were murdered, causing the church to require reconsecration.
Last time we visited we took a group photo using a bench in front of the church wall. 25 years later there is still a bench there :)
http://www.stmichaelsbishopscleeve.co.uk/churches-and-parishes/23-woolstone/31-st-martin-de-tours-woolstone.html
@kathyladley Hopefully the extensive underpinning will secure the future of the building for many centuries, but yes a reminder of the short length of time we are here.
@w3n6y WoW Wendy! What a send off for your Dad's cousin and what a peaceful place. Given the proximity of GCHQ, I expect there were many more similar events.