Category Archives: Churches

Cold stone and warm hearts

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Sue Vincent

Last year we visited Haddon Hall in Derbyshire as part of our research, both for the upcoming workshop and the continuing trail of clues we follow as we look back through history. We learned a lot about the Manners and … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, History, Stuart France and Sue Vincent | Tagged bakewell, effigy, Elizabethan, family, fashion, history, tomb, Tudor, Vernon and manners families | 31 Comments

A flying visit – The Guild Chapel, Stratford upon Avon

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Sue Vincent

I mentioned that, during our visit to Stratford upon Avon, we had wandered off on our way back to the car, drawn by the tower of a small church. It had proved a profitable detour, bringing us to an old … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, England, historic sites, History, medieval wall paintings, Photography, Stuart France and Sue Vincent, symbolism | Tagged art, grotesques, Guildhall, New Place, schoolroom, shakespeare | 22 Comments

Mixed feelings…

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Sue Vincent

In November last year, Stuart and I paid a visit to one of our old haunts. The church of St Nicholas at Great Kimble, with its enigmatic Lady chapel by Ninian Comper, had played a pivotal role in our adventures … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient sites, Churches, historic sites, Life, Photography, Stuart France and Sue Vincent, symbolism | Tagged faith, modernisation, Photography, rebuilding, remodelling, spirit, symbolism | 42 Comments

Guest author: Darlene Foster – Peaceful Sanctuary at Novelda

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Sue Vincent

Spain is well known for its fascinating cathedrals such as La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, The Mesquite in Cordoba and the Cathedral of Seville to name a few. Besides the well-known religious structures, there are many smaller places of worship … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Churches, Guest post, historic sites, Photography, Sacred sites, travel | Tagged Amanda's travels, Art Nouveau, Gaudi, Spain | 49 Comments

Under the altar…

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Sue Vincent

I am not even sure how we saw them hidden there in the shadows beneath the altar. I do know we would never have seen them had we not been looking at the unusual cross-fleury on the floor. The mosaic … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Churches, Don and Wen, Love | Tagged artist, creation, nativity, stone, symbolism | 43 Comments

The Incomparable Comper III… Stuart France

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Sue Vincent

* … “The Veronica?” “It is one of the ‘Stations of the Cross’. One of Christ’s female adherents approaches her Lord and wipes the sweat from his face as he struggles to Calvary under the back breaking load of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient sites, Art, Books, Churches, Don and Wen, Stuart France and Sue Vincent, The Silent Eye | Tagged esoteric, interpretation, magic, mystery, psychology, story, symbolism | 2 Comments

Ani’s Advent Invitation: Christmas Trees with Marian Beaman

Posted on December 14, 2017 by Sue Vincent

She’s slacking. She hasn’t got the Christmas Tree out this year. Okay, I can accept that digging through the snow to the shed might not have been on her menu…but she hasn’t even started on the festive stuff yet! If … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Churches, Dogs | Tagged Chalie Brown, Christmas story, family, tradition | 21 Comments

On the trail yet again…

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Sue Vincent

We opened the door of St Mary’s and walked in. It felt rather odd as the altar was at the ‘wrong’ end for the door. Usually, you enter from the south and turn right to the altar, here, the main … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure, albion, Ancient sites, Art, Books, Churches, Don and Wen, historic sites, History, Photography, Stuart France and Sue Vincent | Tagged buckinghamshire, Clayton and Bell, fleur de lys, lilies, stained glass, symbolism | 27 Comments

On the trail again…

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Sue Vincent

We tend not to do any research before we visit a sacred site, be it an old church or a stone circle. I have written before of some of our reasons. First, there is the risk of spoiling the surprise … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure, albion, Ancient sites, Books, Churches, Don and Wen, historic sites, History, Photography, Stuart France and Sue Vincent | Tagged beheaded saints, buckinghamshire, fleur de lys, St Philomena, symbolism, virgin martyr | 29 Comments

The Star of St George… Stuart France

Posted on November 24, 2017 by Sue Vincent

* In a green hill, the hollow green hills, a dragon sleeps, tonight. * The red cross on the white shield of St. George is made up of red scales like the scales of the red dragon that wakes at … Continue reading →