St Oswald’s Church in Farrow&Ballshire

A simple church gem: St Oswald's Widford

The other Friday I was out cycling with good chum Mike.

We peddled through Widford. Now a tiny hamlet, once a medieval village, the River Windrush hurries past it. We were a mile or so east of Burford in West Oxfordshire.

We set our bikes against an Oak and walked across the fields to the church of St. Oswald. This tiny single cell church is on the site or a Roman villa.  Until recently small area of Roman mosaic was visible in its chancel however this treasure has been carried off to Cirencester museum.

The church is a gem, it is the perfect counterpoint to the grand parish church of Burford. Inside all was delightfully gloomy on a dull November day.

In his wonderful book England's Thousand Best Churches

Simon Jenkins comments

‘The essence of Widford is simplicity. The pulpit appears to have been made from an old screen. The box pews are Georgian, the communion rail Jacobean.’

St Mary’s, a sweet spot near Slough

Plans have been laid for the return trip to St Mary's

The church of St Mary's was locked so I was not able to go inside and see the Kedermister Library, given by the local landowner Sir John Kedermister in the 1600’s.

On an overcast day I contented myself with exterior sketch.

Only today I discover that the churchyard is the resting place of artist Paul Nash one of my favourite painters of the 1930’s and 40’s.

Plans have been laid for the return trip to Langley in the borough of Slough.  I am in contact with the Vicar who is keeper of the keys.

In his wonderful book England's Thousand Best Churches Simon Jenkins comments, referencing St Mary's being only five minutes from the M4,

‘This is a church for connoisseur church-hunters. The setting could hardly be less promising. Yet here lies one of the gems of English Church art’

Zinnias keep marching on!

Zinnias rule!

Here we are well into November and on Saturday the garden was buffeted by winds gusting up to 28 knots. These Zinnias stood their ground. God Bless them. And now they grace my desk.  

We have enjoyed great success with the slender, colourful and plucky flower this year in the garden and on Sian's allotment. Lucky lucky us!

Between Aberaeron and Aberarth

Norfolk in Mid Wales 

Ruth: “Now I’m walking along the edge of fields, along a clearly defined path through dried grasses and scrub, beside the shingle beach. This reminds me of Norfolk. Flat, low-lying land.”

Norfolk is where Ruth's walking tour of the British coast started,on 18^th April 2010. 

'I am going to walk around the coastline of the British mainland. Starting in North Norfolk, I will head clockwise around the coastline, following paths and tracks'

RUTH LIVINGSTONE

See the full story here http://coastalwalker.co.uk

Along the path to Ceredigion

Onwards, onwards 

Aside from a cliff top path that appears to go on forever, Ceredigion's 50 miles (80 km) of coastline has sandy beaches. In 2011 Ceredigion's beaches were awarded 5 Blue Flag Awards, 4 Green Coast Awards, and 14 Seaside Awards and has been explored by Ruth Livingstone.

Another pic from me as Ruth's Artist in Residence

“I am going to walk around the coastline of the British mainland. Starting in North Norfolk, I will head clockwise around the coastline, following paths and tracks” RUTH LIVINGSTONE

See the full story here http://coastalwalker.co.uk

St Dogmaels Pembrokeshire

Ruth continues to walk - St Dogmaels

St Dogmaels marks the northern end of the Pembroke Coast Path. This is small village on the estuary of the River Teifi a mile downstream from the town of Cardigan in neighbouring Ceredigion, another Ruth destination. Another delight is the remains of a 12th-century Tironian (Benedictine) abbey, which was in its day one of the richer monastic institutions in Wales.

Another piece from me as Ruth's Artist in Residence 

“I am going to walk around the coastline of the British mainland. Starting in North Norfolk, I will head clockwise around the coastline, following paths and tracks” 

RUTH LIVINGSTONE

See the full story here http://coastalwalker.co.uk