Tuesday 28 February 2023

St Stephen's Church, Llanstephan, near Glasbury-on-Wye

 


After we went to the Craft Shop, we were tootling along the back lane when I saw a sign for St Stephen's Church and did an abrupt left turn.  Got there more by luck and instinct than any signage - although there was a sign when we needed it most, but it was a fair old climb. Here is the stone-roofed lytchgate - apologies for missing off the end part on the left which once housed the parson's horse.


The approach was through a ring of yew trees, and below, one of the fine memorial stones.  The carving is beautiful (and doubtless expensive at the time).




It is high up on a hillside above the Wye valley, and commands beautiful views.


This was such a beautiful oak tree, I had to take a photo.


The tower of the church is believed to be 14th C. with some tinkering in Victorian times in all probability.  The windows and doors of the church are 19th C replacements and the 15th C porch remodelled in the same period. The nave is 13th C. with an original South doorway from this date.  More information HERE.




Fabulous views across to the Brecon Beacons.



In 1818, there was a description of a rood screen and loft, in oak, "very elegantly carved, with rosettes and vine leaves intertwined, supported by oak pillars", whilst a stone slab formed the communion table.  Alas, now all gone. Presumably the Victorian makeover did for them what the Reformation didn't.  More info HERE.


The font is probably 14th C, raised on a 19th C base.


The stone pulpit is 19th C.


This photo came out, a beautiful tribute to Hugo Phillips, 3rdBaron Milford of Llanstephan.


There was a beautiful triptych overlooking the altar.


Part of the old furniture of the early church, where church documents and valuables would have been kept.


This was worth a visit, and the scenery stunning, even in winter.


Yesterday it was Keith's turn for the dentist (check up) and so we went to Llandovery.  I couldn't park opposite as I had hoped, so got the wheelchair out to get Keith there.  However, after he'd seen the dentist, he walked out of the surgery, then across the road and back to the car!  This is the furthest he has walked in months, and I was delighted.  Only 75 yards or so, but considering he's just been going up and down the kitchen this is progress indeed.  Partly the increased levels of Thyroxine treatment and partly the new patch, which works round the clock to stop dopamine being blocked.  This has been a game changer.  Before, when the Rasagaline wore off (mid-afternoon) Keith hit a brick wall mobility-wise.  Fingers x'd he can continue to make progress.  We are going to try a short walk up by Jewsons' tomorrow, as that has just been resurfaced and is nice and level.

11 comments:

  1. The one carving matches one of my statues. When our priest died in a terrible accident our son knew how close I was to him and purchased me the one of the person crying, mine is an angel.

    Glad to read that Keith is doing so much better.

    What an interesting church.

    God bless.

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  2. I thought it very beautiful. You must treasure yours, but what a sad ending for your priest.

    Keith is walking better, despite NOT drinking enough!!!

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  3. So pleased to hear Keith is walking better.

    A lovely church in a beautiful setting. Such a shame about the rood screen and loft - sometimes those Victorians have a lot to answer for!

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    1. The Victorians were into bang-up-to-the-minute improvements . . . sadly. So much church history lost then. Trouble is, the churches had been allowed to deteriorate SO much that almost complete rebuilding was necessary in many cases.

      He had another walk today of a similar distance.

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  4. Glad to hear Keith is doing better still. Let's hope today goes well at Jewsons. My physio visited yesterday and she says I'm doing quite well. I just need to try and get out more often.
    Deb in Wales

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    1. Yup, it wasn't bad although he struggled on the balance-challenging rough ground beside the car, but once on the newly tarmacced path, he was away.

      I hope you are able to be out and about again more. The weather's not encouraging though!

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  5. What wonderful news about Keith! I imagine that he was very pleased as well!

    That view! I'd have sat there for hours, just gazing. What a beautiful church!

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  6. Well, he's going in the right direction. The Parkinsonism isn't going away but if he can just be more mobile, it will hold it at bay. Meanwhile - he lost a year being on insufficient thyroid medication . . .

    That church was a lovely one.

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  7. Such good news about Keith !! I love the view from that church.

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    Replies
    1. You could have a lovely picnic there in the summer.

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  8. What a magical setting. Shame about the Rood screen but it makes the ones that have survived all the more precious. It has been very cold here the last few days but today looks more promising with the sun streaming in through the windows. S had an all day cycle with two of his oldest friends yesterday. Apparently they cycled 29km - including two stops for coffee and bacon sandwich and another for tea and cake! I went into Petworth to celebrate five years of the bookshop and then took myself off to the Pleasure Grounds where this winter a new woodland winter walk has been planted. Lots of Lonicera fragrantissima planted in threes with the flowers already being visited by big bumble bees and many different varieties of witch hazel. I will enjoy seeing this develop over the years. Came home and speed-weeded my meadow bed which is home (amongst many other things - it’s a large quarter circle) to Viburnum Carlesii - scented pom-poms of flower right now and tete a tete daffodils which are just coming into flower much later than usual. I wasn’t really dressed or shod for gardening but the ground is so dry it didn’t matter. I picked a small bunch of tete a tete for a little pottery jug for the kitchen table. Having finished re-watching all five series of Poldark I am now reading the first book, borrowed from Chichester library last week, and enjoying it very much. I also borrowed Philippa Gregory’s “Tidelands” which is set around Selsey and Pagham harbour which Philippa knows well from living around here. All this means that I am way behind with next Monday’s book group choice - time for some speed-reading I think. Please don’t overdo it in the garden BB - little and often is the way to go. Sarah x

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