CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE. REPEAT IF REQUIRED.
This morning Jackie drove us around the forest.
A new residential development is being constructed almost opposite the Parish Church in Hordle Lane.
On the way to Tiptoe, cyclamen emerge from the verge of Mead End Road;
Gates Cottage lies on a bend;
and we exchanged greetings with a couple riding in a trap.
Wobbly Cottage, built on a hill,
enjoys splendid woodland opposite
and alongside.
A little further along the road, Boundary car park offers splendid views of moorland
to which this horse is being led.
Cyclists were out in force, and outside Burley, pony trekkers adopted their two abreast defensive technique.
Wild ponies, knowing they have the right of way, don’t bother.
Driving through Thorney Hill, Jackie spotted a rather beautiful little church. As we searched for a suitable parking spot, one of two gentlemen clearing a ditch in front of it beckoned to us and opened the gate
leading to the Renaissance style building. We were to learn who was represented by the angles over the circular window and the bell tower.
First, we wandered around the graveyard with its New Forest backdrop.
Inside we received a warm welcome by a couple greeting visitors. We had had the good fortune to discover the church on the day it was taking part in the Historic Churches open day. Normally, apart from regular Sunday services at 9.20 a.m. it is only open on Saturday afternoons from May to September between 2.00 and 4.00. The information that follows is gleaned from the leaflet ‘All Saints’ Church, Thorney Hill’.
The church was built for ‘Lord John and Lady Constance Manners. Lady Constance was born Hamlyn-Fane, a family with connections to the Earls of Westmorland.’ ‘The family also owned Clovelly Estate, and it was in All Saints’ Church Clovelly that she married John Masters, 3rd Lord Manners of Foston in 1885.’
‘John and Constance Manners had five children: Mary Christine, twins Betty and Agnes, John and Francis. During a visit to India Mary Christine contracted cholera and died. She was buried in Clovelly, but the family near [their home at] Avon Tyrell [house] and built All Saints’ Church in 1906.’
‘Detmar Blow, believed to be John Ruskin’s last protégé, was commissioned to design All Saints’ Church.’ ‘A sense of space is created by use of both square and round pillars, made from fine Caen stone.’
‘On the two sets of wooden doors are carvings of a cherub face, believed to be that of Mary Christine. On our visit a small spider was engaged in spinning a shroud.
‘A commemoration plaque to her is situated on the back left hand wall. It is carved by Eric Gill and listed by the Tate as among his finest work.
‘Sadness again struck the family when their son John was killed in the first days of the First World War in the retreat from Mons. His body was never found. Constance Manners chose Bertram MacKennal, an Australian sculptor, to make the bronze effigy of John, now placed in the Church. He uses a soldier’s belongings to great effect in the sculpture. The inscription and distraught angels above are carved by Eric Gill.’
A photograph of the young lady stands on the wall above her brother’s monument.
‘The most striking feature in the church is the mural. It was painted in memory of Constance, who died in 1920, by Phoebe Traquair, an Irish lady by birth who lived in Scotland. It is one of only two of her murals in England; all the others are in Scotland. Phoebe was a leading member of the Arts and Crafts movement and worked in many media, including enamelling, jewellery and book-binding. She completed the mural in 1922 aged seventy. The theme is Te Deum – Praise the Lord. As in others of her murals Phoebe Traquair has used the faces of real persons, living and historical, when painting the characters…..quite a few have been identified with varying degree[s] of certainty’ These are available on consulting a key kept in the church.
‘The dome top is painted gold which reflects and gathers the light around a portrayal of Christ in Glory. At his feet are children from Thorney Hill School possibly taken from a photograph of 1922.’
A floral display behind the splendidly original pulpit is perfectly colour coordinated.
I ascended the wooden spiral staircase
to the organ loft
in order to secure an aerial view of the sanctuary through a chandelier.
The circular window behind me focussed on the forest.
The need for the Thieves Beware notice on the front door is made clear in the leaflet. ‘In the last fifty years All Saints’ church has suffered several disastrous events. The lead on the roof was first stolen in 1966. The aluminium which replaced it was found to be perforated with pin sized holes resulting in damage by damp. With the help of English Heritage a lead roof was again fitted in 2005 only to be partly stolen in 2013. Fire has struck several times, fortunately there was time for anything removable to be taken outside. The storm in January 1990 brought down all the trees in front of the church, snapping some of them in half and leaving the church inaccessible for weeks.’
This evening we dined on Jackie’s superb pork paprika, wild rice, green beans, and broccoli. She drank Hoegaarden, and I drank more of the Fleurie.
P.S. My friend Barrie Haynes posted this on Facebook: Barrie Haynes Thanks for that Derrick, truly one of the wonders of the New Forest. When I was a boy the children of Thorney Hill had a special class at school, as they were a rough lot and smelled! I’m not making this up. There was also a myth that the lady in question was in fact entombed there and because of an expert make over by the embalmer, looked just the same as the day she died. I had lots of friends in Bransgore, but we were warned that the church was haunted and we never went up there after dark! If she was brought back from India to Clovelly it would be very interesting to see the logistics of this operation, the cost must have been enormous but the Manners were never short of a few bob! Hope this is of interest to your readers.
Such lovely photos, character and wholesomeness. The new development – ugh – cold.
Thanks, GP. The development is just outside the National Park, so permitted
I know, it is here too – to the point of shaking your neighbors’ hands building to building!
Yes. What amazes me is the pretence of being detached when there is scarcely any space for maintenance between them
Exactly!!
Beautiful!
Many thanks, Cindy
The classic architecture is beautiful is what I should have said, and I love Wobbly Cottage….
Thanks, Cindy
Thank you for the tour, Derrick! I always love them…
Many thanks, Donna
Awesome photos!
Hi Derrick.
I found my way here through our mutual friend’s blog “The Feathered Sleep”
As you probably know she is not doing so well. I’m attempting to help our dear friend Candice during her time of need. When you get the chance please follow this link https://www.facebook.com/donate/1885961145056058/1886080781710761/
and help her out if able. Candice would never ask anything for herself, as everyone that knows her knows she is a very giving, caring person. That is why I’m doing this on her behalf. Thank you.
Thank you, Mark. I have e-mailed you.
That church is something special, indeed. What a wonderful way to commemorate the various people featured.
Wow, some beautiful views! I went hiking today and saw some similar, stunning landscapes.
Many thanks, Kathrin. Will you be posting your trip?
Yes I will – on Tuesday, probably.
So much to admire here! I like the ethos of the building company – I hope they adhere to their claims. The church is beautiful and charmingly personal.
Very many thanks, Pauline. The development is almost opposite where Geoff and the Textiliste were married.
Those doors are incredible! Great work capturing this place.
Thanks very much, Leslie
From development to churches and eating fine cuisine your words and images always take me on a journey Derrick.
Many thanks, Miriam
Really enjoyable post Derrick.
Many thanks, steVe
There is nothing I like more than finding a church with an open door, and this one is very beautiful.
Absolutely, Sylvie. I compared this with locked churches, to the custodians. Man thanks
Lovely tour, Derrick!
Many thanks, Jill. I hope you liked the lane with the thatched house 🙂
An absolutely lovely church with so many stories in its walls! The color-coordinated floral arrangement speaks of the care with which every detail is met. Thank you again for the lovely photos of your beautiful home!
Very many thanks, Elizabeth
Today’s outing has the aura of a pilgrimage. The poignant memorial is a humbling memento of human impermanence.
Perfect comment, Uma. Many thanks
A gem!
Thanks very much, Bruce
Lovingly presented finds, Derrick. Especially the art of both Gill and Traquair.
Many thanks, Roland
Great pics.
Please do checkout my blog.
Feel free to like,comment and follow.
Namaste
Thank you, Vikram
A nice tour today Derrick, thank you.
Many thanks, Ivor
Lovely post. Sad that thieves have no respect. In the old days fear of the wrath of god would have protected the place.
Thanks very much, Sherry
Gorgeous, what a contrast from the beginning photos to the lovely forest photos. It looks so peaceful. My favorite photo is the fence and the country side!
Thanks very much, Lynn
most welcome
I’m always impressed by views of the moors, and horses sedately walking on country roads. What lovely images, evoking some significant memories in me!
Many thanks, Diane
Great pics again Derrick – an interesting day!
Thanks very much, Rob
I found that very moving.
Me too, Osyth. Thanks very much
What a journey you have taken me upon.. Through the beautiful cyclamen and to wobbly cottage and thatched roofs to wonderful interior’s of beautiful decor of carved wood and memorials and beautiful ceilings..
Yes and a poignant loss of John..
Many thanks for sharing Derrick.. Take care and enjoy your new week
Sue 🙂
Very many thanks, Sue, for such a fulsome comment
🙂 you are most welcome xx
That is a beautiful memorial. Thank you for taking readers on this trip with you, Derrick.
Many thanks, Lavinia
More like this please. 🙂
This may interest you, how this town in Sydney got it’s name.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clovelly,_New_South_Wales
Thanks a lot, Brian. Fascinating link
Spectacular church and decoration. Poignant stories too.
Thanks a lot, Quercus
🙂
Fascinating stories you include within your post, Derrick. I also smiled at your description of the spider spinning a shroud for Mary Christine’s effigy. Ha! I see you in between the banisters, you silver fox. ?
Well spotted, Rose 🙂 Many thanks
Wow, what a full day! love the wobbly cottage, the horse in the street, the views of the grave yard, and of course, the stories from the church. Well done!
Very many thanks, Laurie
Such beautiful cottages 🙂
Many thanks, Lakshmi