We've been lucky.

[Rob Wright]

Great pics. It looks like this year it's going to be an extremely dry winter. We've only had an inch total this winter and last year we had almost two feet at the same time!

[Graham]

your house backs up to a church?
wow, it looks lovely, is it your church?

[Derek]

Hi Graham … Re the church at the back of the cottages. We live on part of the church and grounds which is called The Holy or Sacred Acre. The cottages we live in go back a long way and were originally used as sleeping quarters for visiting monks. You can say its the church we go to although we do not go that often I'm afraid. We do however do lots of musical things for them to help raise money for the restoration fund. This area has been a place of worship for nearly 1000 years. In fact the Archbishop of Canterbury will be coming to the church in 2007 to bless it for its 1000th year. As the history goes, it was simply an area of open space that was used as a place of worship at first, then eventually the church started to be constructed around 1107. The Tower was then built in 1420. Up until the early 1900’s the floor inside was still earth. The stone slabbed floor is a recent addition in the scale of things. There is certainly a lot of history with the church and all the local land .. I will pm you if you would like to know more Graham, or the church have produced a little booklet all about the history if you would like me to send you one. Its all really interesting. Every Christmas Eve they hold a candlelight carol service for the children between 5/6pm, and the church is always crammed full .. you have to get there at 4pm really to get a seat or you have to stand wherever you can fit in. We and all our friends and their children go every year, but last year is the first time I went in my Welsh Cilt. I have to admit that there was something special in being in such an aged place of history who's walls want to seem to talk to you, and being Cilted as well. I guess you know what I mean. Its a spiritual thing beyond words. I will be wearing my Cilt again this year. Here’s a piccy of two of the inside the church.
Iechyd Da
Derek

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Derek, that is awesome information. I am always moved and envious by the history that abounds across the pond. To be around cities, structures, and monuments that have been around that long is beautiful. Thanks for sharing some of the history and the pics.

[mudd]

Beautiful pictures! Something like that right out your back door; that’s cool. 8)

[GlassMan]

That church is awesome! Any chance you could get me some photos of the stained glass windows?

[Derek]

Glassman .. I shall go and take several photo's this morning for you and post them later.
Iechyd Da
Derek

[Blu (Ontario)]

Derek, that is awesome information. I am always moved and envious by the history that abounds across the pond. To be around cities, structures, and monuments that have been around that long is beautiful. Thanks for sharing some of the history and the pics.

Things in N.America are so young by comparision. I suppose if one is always surrounded by history, you get used to it!

[Hamish]

Things in N.America are so young by comparision. I suppose if one is always surrounded by history, you get used to it!

Whilst we greatly appreciate the beauty of our older buildings, Blu, I think what you suggest is probably, to some extent, true. Most of our village churches and city cathedrals date from the 12th and 13th Centuries and they are always worth stopping off for a few minutes to see. I often visit our 12th Century village church (two miles from the village and set in a farm-yard!) for quiet contemplation and reflection. All one can hear is the distant bleating of the Southdown hill-sheep and the calling of the Peacocks in the gardens of the nearby Manor House! There is certainly a special sense not only of history but also of spirituality in such buildings, which modern churches so sadly lack. Fortunately, the latter only seem to exist in town and cities, far from where I live, where they often replace the Victorian churches now converted into trendy eateries and Wine Bars!

There is a very pretty half-timbered, thatched cottage just a few hundred yards from my home. I believe it dates from about 1540, but we all pass it by without giving a second glance. So, yes, we do take many of these beautiful, old buildings around us for granted when going about our daily business.

[Livingston]

Whilst we greatly appreciate the beauty of our older buildings, Blu, I think what you suggest is probably, to some extent, true.

Just like here in the States. I grew up and lived primarily in the Midwest (Kansas and Iowa). Moved here to Colorado Springs and the foot of the Rockies in 1992. One of the guys I worked with when I first got here asked "Why on Earth would you want to live here?" I took him out the door where the morning light was just hitting Pikes Peak and asked "Why NOT?" Too many people here forget how beautiful it is compared to the billiard table landscape I grew up with. (OK, that's beautiful in it's way too)