St Mary's Church, Clifford

 Sorry folks, last week didn't improve much with keeping. Keith had his UTI (onto the 2nd lot of antibiotics by then - fortunately these worked.)  I was more than a bit tired and worn out and I just wanted to crawl into a corner with a good book. It was very difficult to even drag myself out of bed each morning - I felt like I'd run a marathon overnight.  

    Danny, Emma and "I" were here this weekend, which cheered me up.  "I" helped me bake some Chocolate Chip Muffins for them to take home, and we discovered she has a new passion - washing up.  She stood on the stool and washed up the same plastic bowl for quite 20 minutes, very happy and chattering to herself :)  Then we did some jigsaw puzzles I'd found in the local charity shop.  I've just ordered several dinosaur ones (all in the same pack) for Christmas.  Danny wants this to be a screen-free house when they visit, so it will be simple toys and then board games as she gets old enough.  They went for a walk in the rain, which then rained MUCH more the longer they were out, and came back soaked.

     Anyway, here is St Mary's Church at Clifford for you.

I presume this was the site of an old preaching cross, now topped with a more modern sundial.

There were a lot of chest tombs in the graveyard - not all as upmarket as this one.  In fact, the whole graveyard was densely "planted" with various tombs so I think this must have served quite a large part of the parish.

The church is 12th and 13th C, and this font dates from that period too.  Restorations were carried out in 1839 and 1888.  HERE are the listing details if you are interested.

The door above is also dedicated to Hubert Bagster Trumper T.D.  It sounds like he was much liked and admired in the county.

The great and the good are remembered.  I liked the castellated memorial two down, though the dedication is hard to see now.

HERE is a link to the family - as you will see families intermarried in this area and a few of them will already be familiar to you.  It really is worth following the link and reading.

This is what I really came to see.  I am thrilled that this effigy has survived down the centuries.  Such a thing is rare - the only other one in the county is at Much Marcle.  He dates from the late 13th C.

In memory of the fallen . . .

A rather splendid church organ.

The manor house, just across the lane.

View across the ploughed fields just before the church.

I am shortly off to view the Monday auction again.  I shall take a good book (and need it!)  It's a shame it doesn't start till mid-afternoon.  Keith is interested in something, so it would cheer him up if I am able to get it.  I am still struggling with low energy levels but at least I will get out and I can leave Keith some nibbles whilst I'm away.

Gabby is coming up to see us tomorrow, and Tam and Jon at the weekend, so that will cheer us up greatly.  Tam and Jon can cover whilst I go off to Malvern on the Sunday.  BFN.