South Cerney - a Cotswold Village

photographed through a rain streaked window

The earth was parched, finally the longed for rains fell like stair-rods from the heavens, the garden breathed a sigh of relief, but not this bedraggled juvenile Robin - he was not a happy fellow. 

Next day dawned bright and sunny, the air smelt fresh and sweet - let's retrace our steps to the village where Farmer David crafted us a traditional medieval bee-skep.

Last visited in the wake of the January 2014 floods 

when this benign and gentle stream turned into a raging torrent

burst her banks and flooded the road

During the winter visit my curiosity had been aroused by this cordoned fruit tree and I wondered what bounty she would yield

pears!

A tangible reminder of South Cerney's historical past is this medieval meeting cross. Sadly only the base and steps are original. Now surmounted by what appears to be a Victorian obelisk topped with ball and metal cross - 

 All Hallows church 

The wedding service is over, but we will bide our time and wander around the graveyard before going inside

wedding confetti

A huge coffin thought to be Roman

 Cirencester - Roman town Corinium is just a stone's throw away

Medieval sun dial

The north Norman doorway - a single order showing a chevron arch, plain tympanum, and

jambs with scalloped capitals.  

The south Norman doorway is an elaborate piece of work though much weathered. The arch has three orders 

the central one a roll moulding with different beakheads

The outer has chevrons set at right angles and

the carving of the inner order has spindly foliage reminiscent of Viking Ringerike style

The hoodmould is decorated with rosettes with large beast headstops

 similar to the Deerhurst Dragons

It was not possible to photograph the tympanum, it is small and protected by netting to prevent the birds despoiling it. It shows Christ in Glory, and below, the Harrowing of Hell

Inside we have come to see a resin copy of a treasure dating back to 1130. Over one hundred years ago the remains from a crucifix, just a head and foot, were discovered hidden in the wall by the chancel arch. They are so rare and unique that they are now housed in special atmospheric conditions in The British Museum. It is assumed that the then complete crucifix was concealed during the Reformation when images of Christ and the saints were the object of wholesale destruction. These two pieces are all that survives, they are the only wooden Romanesque crucifix remains anywhere in the British Isles. It is a salutary thought that virtually all churches, large and small, would have had a wooden carved crucifix on their Rood or Choir Screen by the 12th century, which serves to highlight the great importance of this survival. 

This is an image of the actual head courtesy The British Museum. It is considered to be a masterpiece of the English Romanesque period.