Heyjude

Bury St Edmunds

Another stop en route to Norwich was Bury St Edmunds primarily to see the Abbey and the Abbey gardens, but when we got there we were enticed into the cathedral instead. Bury St Edmunds grew up around the powerful Abbey of St Edmunds in the Middle Ages. For 500 years pilgrims came from all over the world to worship at his shrine. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries (yep – good ole Henry VIII again), the abbey church – one of the largest Norman buildings in Europe – fell into decline.

But before I take you into that wonderful building here’s a glimpse of the Abbey and surrounding area.

We parked in Angel Hill, a cobbled square which is opposite the Cathedral and the Abbey Gate and in front of the very colourful Angel Hotel (above). When I drive through historic places like this I always feel guilty – cars ought not to be allowed, just pedestrians and maybe a horse and carriage. Continue reading Bury St Edmunds

Black and White Sunday: A View fit for a Queen

The Queen’s View in Highland Perthshire overlooks Loch Tummel. Queen Victoria is said to have remarked that the spectacular view was named after her, when she visited the area in 1866. However, it has also been suggested that the view was in fact named after King Robert the Bruce’s wife, Isabella, over 550 years earlier. Although she never actually became queen as she died in 1296 ten years before Bruce was crowned king. She was just 19 years old.

Whichever version you prefer, the view is stunning.

Black and White Sunday

Lavenham Guildhall

The Guildhall of Corpus Christi (NT) Market Place

Set in the picturesque Market Place is the Guildhall of Corpus Christi, built in 1529 by a wealthy religious guild, this building is one of the loveliest timber-framed buildings in the country. Inside you can learn all about the people, industries and events that have shaped this village throughout time.

The exhibitions have been cleverly created using the eyes and voices of those who worked, lived and were imprisoned here. Their stories will surprise and shock you. Continue reading Lavenham Guildhall

Love Lavenham

Our trip up the eastern side of the country began in earnest after the wedding in Colchester – next stop being close to Norwich where we intended to visit the cathedral. In fact most of this trip north was planned on seeing cultural and historical sites that we have previously not been to. Since the driving distances between some of the destinations were quite short I devised a route that took us to some hopefully interesting spots along the way. First stop on this glorious September day was Lavenham, a pretty village in Suffolk, England. It is noted for its 15th century church, half-timbered medieval cottages, Guildhall and circular walk.

Continue reading Love Lavenham

Thursday’s Special: Sweet Vi

In Norwich’s fine cathedral is a sculpture which really caught my attention. Somewhat out of sight in a corner of the north transept it is easily missed. But there is something so profoundly sweet about the face of this young woman which caused me to spend an inordinate time photographing her from all angles.

In Caister Churchyard was laid to rest by Bertram Bishop of Norwich
All that could die of Violet the lovely and beloved only child of Penry and Evelyn Vaughan Morgan
Who on February 22 1919 at the age of twenty years passed this life to the life eternal.

No voice shall break the glory of the stillness,
Or touch the joy that our two soul’s fulfil,
And we shall see the splendour of dawn on the hills
(V.V.M )( Violet Vaughan Morgan)

I knew a maid; a young enthusiast
Birds in the bower, and lambs in the green field,
Could they have known her, would have loved; methought
Her very presence such a sweetness breathed,
That flowers, and trees, and even the silent hills,
And everything she looked on, should have had
An intimation how she bore herself
Towards them and to all creatures. God delights
In such a being; for, her common thoughts
Are piety, her life is gratitude.

~ from Wordsworth’s The Prelude, Book Twelve

Monument to Violet Vaughan Morgan †1919. Marble. Commissioned by her parents Penry and Evelyn Vaughan Morgan and signed Derwent Wood R.A. 1921. Intended for Holy Trinity, Caister, but accepted by the Dean and Chapter, on 28 July 1921.

Paula’s (Lost in Translation) challenge this week is Calm