THE COUSINS GO CHURCHING

St Andrews: faces everywhere, looking down.

There are two Oxfordshire churches, both almost in the dark shadow of Didcot Power Station; All Saints North Morton and Saint Andrews Church in East Hagbourne.

One August morning the cousins ventured forth, with Rosie the Puppy, and enjoyed a wonderful time in each. 

In St Andrews, there were delights a-plenty including some extraordinary corbels, three-headed carvings, on the chancel arch and on the other side of the arch, saw a Lion’s head!

Looking up at the ceiling they saw other faces, stonework phantoms looking down on them as they looked up in marvel.

The cousins then jumped back into the car, “Hey Ho we’re off to North Morton” Wendy cried.

Miles' magnificent chapel window

In this second church they discovered a remarkable mediaeval window in the south chapel. 

This chapel was built by a rich and powerful courtier called Miles de Stapleton who served at the court of King Edward I. 

Miles had the money to commission this magnificent window. Only he could afford to pay for to the most skilled glassmakers and stone carvers in London to do his bidding. In 1299 he set them to the task of creating a window with scenes from the life of Saints Peter, Nicholas, Paul andthe Blessed Virgin Mary.

The cousins stood back in awe in gazed at this window as the Sun streamed in highlighting the green silk of Trinity on the altar. 

"I’m so glad we came" said Tim, 

“So am I and I’m so glad we are following footsteps of Mr Simon Jenkin” said Wendy

The cousins went small lanes and by ways to Wittenham Clumps. Two hills which looked down on to at least five counties. This is another dreamlike part of Oxfordshire. 

Before setting off on a brisk walk, with Rosie the Puppy, they had a wonderful lunch, cucumber sandwiches, green salad, crusty bread and other yummy things, all made by cousin Wendy.

After the walk cousins exclaimed“Let’s plan to go a churching again soon!”

And so they probably will.