“In this house for a hundred and fifty years, we have woven a rich fabric of constant praise. Things shall be as they were; only better, richer, the pattern of worship complete at last.” [1] (William Golding, The Spire,p.10) As I approached Salisbury Cathedral these words came to mind. Golding’s The Spire tells the taleContinue reading “Pilgrimage Challenge 2: Salisbury to Old Sarum Circular Route”
Category Archives: dorset
Pilgrimage Challenge 1: The South Dorset Old Stones Way
We arrived in the village of Little Bredy to the sound of the church bell bringing in the tenth hour of morning. Having not heard church bells since February this sound instantly brought me back to Oxford and how every Sunday I would open my window and be greeted by a chorus of bells, singing out across the city. The sound of that solitary bell in the middle of a small, remote Dorset village encouraged me. It was a good start.
St Mary the Virgin Part 2 – Save Our Stories Series: A Reflection
The survival of Christ’s body within this image brings to mind what is really important: what will stay with other people, long after we have gone, is the love we are able to share, the selfless acts, and the bits of beauty, we, ourselves, are able to give to others.
St Mary’s ,Tarrant Crawford: Part 1 – Save Our Stories: Wall Paintings Series
St Mary’s truly is a jewel in a church-crawler’s crown. It draws together not only the artistry of the medieval period but also its religious literature and devotional practices. The church is now a mere reflection of the glory that once was, but it nevertheless remains, in my view, quite glorious.
Cerne Abbas, Dorset Part 3: St Mary’s Church
In a day and age overwhelmingly concerned with security it is rather a blessing to be able to wander into a church at any reasonable time of day and spend an hour or so exploring. Many a time have I arrived at a church to find it locked and bolted. St Mary’s in Cerne AbbasContinue reading “Cerne Abbas, Dorset Part 3: St Mary’s Church”
Cerne Abbas, Dorset Part 2: St Augustine’s Well
Cerne Abbas is full of hidden wonders. If you venture down Abbey Street and turn right through the churchyard gate, follow a small path that hugs the cemetery wall and venture down a small slope through a cluster of trees then you will find a beautiful though rather obscure spot – St Augustine’s Well. ButContinue reading “Cerne Abbas, Dorset Part 2: St Augustine’s Well”
The Wandering Academic 