Friday, 31 March 2023

Churches (178) : St James the Great, Churchill

The parish church of St James the Great in Churchill, Worcestershire (Wyre Forest) dates from the mid-19th century and is in the Decorated style. The new church replaced a simpler 12th century building and consecrated in 1868. The church has a four bay nave, chancel and a three stage tower at the north east. Plans for a spire were never realised. There is also a 14th century style porch.

The church is made from sandstone ashlar.






Monday, 27 March 2023

Cigarette Card Stars (13) : Ruth Woolley

Dancer Ruth Woolley was said to have won admiration at the London Casino in the 1930s. She also appeared on stage and apparently in film too in the 1935 British film "Abdul the Damned" though uncredited (apart from on the back of the cigarette card!) She also appeared at the Prince of Wales Theatre.



Sunday, 26 March 2023

Cheddington

After last weekend off it was back to rail adventures this weekend. I went down to Cheddington in Buckinghamshire, a remarkably rural looking location on the West Coast Main Line. The adjacent village is pretty nice with a good medieval church and some footpaths through agriculture. You can see my photos here.






Friday, 24 March 2023

Churches (177) : St Nicholas, Gloucester

The former parish church of St Nicholas is one of a number of historic places of worship in Gloucester. The church dates from 1190 and was known, in the early 13th century, as St Nicholas of the Bridge. The church was rebuilt in the 13th century though to largely the same layout of the original church. The west tower with it's spire were built in the 15th century. 

The spire was originally 61m high but was damaged by cannon fire in the Civil War. It was reduced in height and truncated in the 18th century. The church was restored in the 19th century and repaired after fire damage in 1901. The north aisle was rebuilt in the 1930s.

The church was made redundant in 1971 and is now preserved. The church is made from limestone with a six bay nave and a two bay chancel.