BGLR : Return of Falcon

The latest locomotive stock rotation brings Falcon back to the active fleet. It will replace Jam which will go for a well deserved rest (if the MPD extension goes ahead though the need for stock rotation will end). It is great to have the flagship locomotive of the fleet (and the locomotive that started everything seven years ago) back!

Golden Age (23) : Murder in the Mill-Race

Murder in the Mill-Race by E.R.C. Lorac is an examination of crime and village secrets. When a doctor and his wife move to a small village in Devon they find a close-knit and friendly community but also one with some skeletons in the cupboard. Indeed a malign force is working behind the scenes. Sister Monica, whom everyone thinks is wonderful and yet is found dead...

The police in the form of DCI MacDonald and Sergeant Reeves lead the investigation, peeling away the layers of deceit in the village with the help of the doctor. Sister Monica had been ruling the orphanage and indeed the village too with an iron fist.

As well as a thoughtful and well plotted murder mystery this is also a commentary on the abuse that take place in institutions and how it can continue for years unpunished, all because everyone turns a blind eye. Well except one...

Reasons to visit Lapworth

The main reason for my visit to Lapworth yesterday was to see the church which i have missed on earlier visits. The church is quite a walk from the station but is well worth it as it is a splendid church with a number of novel features. Another reason to visit Lapworth was... well it is one of my favourite places and the station is probably my favourite station of all. You can see my other photos of Lapworth here.

Mud in Lapworth

Today I returned to one of my favourite places: Lapworth. The aim of my visit was to finally visit the parish church which i have missed out on before, mainly because it is a bit of a trek from the station. We'll cover the church and the rest of Lapworth in another post.

On the way back i walked along the Stratford Canal, a great stretch of waterway. However the towpath was rather muddy and took some care! You can see my canal photos here.

Churches (52) : St Michael, Penkridge

The church of St Michael in Penkridge, Staffordshire may have been founded by the Saxon King Eadred in in the mid tenth century, it certainly was in existance by 1000CE and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. However the oldest parts of the current church are thought to date from the 13th century with the bases of piers dating from about 1225. A tower was added in the 14th century and raised in the 16th.

St Michael was an important collegiate church, served by a community of priests under the authority of a Dean, and a chapel royal (containing a place reserved for the monarch to use if he was passing). The church, which is made from local sandstone, was restored in 1881.