I managed to cut off the very top of the spire, which is a pity as it is topped by a Flying Serpent. It dates to 1709. The Flying Serpent is Biblical and is a symbol of divine judgement. The broach spire was added 10 years later to accommodate an additional ring of bells (cast by Abraham Rudhall, Gloucester) and the church tower may have been modified/lowered at this point in time.
In the 1860s, Kilvert was a frequent visitor and preached here on occasion. The curate (later Rector) was Revd. David Vaughan.
The church has ancient roots - 900 years - and is believed to have been founded by Harold Godwinson, last Saxon King of England. A move more tactical than spiritual as he was making his presence felt in the Welsh hinterland. There may have been an earlier Celtic church here. It is on the Radnorshire border, and Welsh stopped being used here for sermons and services as early as 1700. It is Grade 1 listed and considered a church of "exceptional national, architectural and historical importance." (Taken from Church website). Included in this description are the "outstanding pyramidal tower", the 16th C roof timbers and the 13th C priest's door (pictured below).
What a beautiful day for your visit to Pembridge and stopping by this church and lovely posts to read. It’s getting hotter and S is coming home today (after seven and a half weeks in hospital) just in time for the heatwave. Fortunately our stone-built house is cool and S will be sleeping downstairs. I went into Chichester yesterday afternoon to collect a new Zimmer frame from the mobility shop and collect a baby monitor from Argos in the gigantic Sainsbury’s, and I paid a first visit to Dunelm as someone had suggested a V-shaped pillow and I bought a second waterproof mattress protector for about half the price I paid in John Lewis last week (the JL one is much better quality though) and extra pillow protectors. I feel like I’m getting ready for a new baby!
ReplyDeleteFeeling apprehensive and not looking forward to the twice daily carer visits. They are coming at lunchtime to assess. But I mustn’t be churlish as they are being provided free of charge for six weeks as part of the re-enablement therapy and they are also there to support me.
I’m hoping to squeeze in an early morning swim at 7.30 as who knows when I will next be able to go swimming. I can practise yoga at home (although it’s not the same as a class with others) and I think I should be ok for short walks from home even if it’s just 10 mins down our lane to the church and back or 10 mins down to the village shop. The care line and key safe are being installed on Monday and I’m told that once they are fitted I am allowed to go out. I think you used to leave Keith settled for up 2 hours at a time? S is unable to walk unaided. He is struggling to talk, swallowing is really difficult and sometimes impossible. I’m worried about nighttime visits to the loo as he has been so unsettled in hospital. He was on a catheter for two weeks and then a uridom system at night. I will be sleeping next door. It is going to be a journey for both of us. I only found out about the six weeks of re-enablement care last Monday and I was so relieved and happy that discharge was imminent that I went to John Lewis and bought a new TV as a surprise homecoming present. I paid for delivery and set up but it’s been a learning curve with passwords etc and then BT/Openreach came round this week to fit a new router and I had to update the internet passcode on all devices including the new TV. Thank goodness it all worked. I’m off for my swim now, that will feel me better as we say here!
Keep cool BB. Sarah x
You have been much in my thoughts Sarah, and S too of course. A steep learning curve ahead but you are fortunate to have the carers - something I never got, probably because of Danny and Emma here to help so it wasn't deemed necessary. I got Keith a V-shaped pillow but it didn't suit him. The best thing we got - because his neck was so painful - was an orthopaedic pillow which was shaped on one edge for comfort.
ReplyDeleteWhen Keith still had the mobility to get to the upstairs loo, I could leave him to go out for a morning or afternoon, but once he was bedbound, it was 2 hours max. If S has been on Oxygen, that affectively robbed him of speech, and swallowing was very difficult after that. It sounds like S has those same problems now.
Well done for getting the new tv set up and getting to grips with the technology. I am still having to find passwords for my new laptop, when I visit a site the old computer had my passwords for. I do have a book of passwords!
Enjoy your swim, and good luck with your new role. It will be hard, of that I am certain, but I am here if you ever need advice. I just wish I lived closer - as I do with Debbie at Country Ways and Cottage Days as she has been struggling with Parkinsons alone.