Church Micro 847: Abington Pigotts Traditional Geocache

St Michael and All Angels from near the cache site.

Abington Pigotts is a picturesque village situated in rural South Cambridgeshire about 4 miles north-west of Royston. It has been variously known as Abington-in-the-Clay, Abington-juxta-Shingay or just Abington. The first name is apt; the local mud sticks to your boots like glue if you walk across the surrounding fields in winter.

A local story has it that a previous Lord of the Manor, who’s family has been resident since the 14th century, became frustrated by the confusion with Abington to the south of Cambridge. His solution was to add the Pigott family name to that of the village. I imagine there were few objections: in those days villagers would have been completely dependent upon him for food and shelter, and probably to his relations for spiritual guidance.  The idea was not completely successful however; lost delivery men are still heard cursing their Sat Nav’s for taking them nearly 15 miles out of their way.

St. Michael and All Angels is described as “in the Early English and Decorated styles”, and is typical of South Cambridgeshire or North Hertfordshire churches. It consists of a chancel, a nave, an impressive porch, a vestry and an embattled tower containing 4 bells. It appears to originate from the 13th century; an ancient chancel was build around 1280 but was replaced in 1875. The present nave is considered late 14th century and the porch has the faint remains of a date above the entrance – 1382. The tower and nave are built of flint and chalk rubble and the buttresses contain dressed stone, used to replace the old clunch during various restorations since 1924. Much more recently, a further restoration of the tower and other parts was completed; the result of a fund-raising by villagers and grants from the Millennium Commission amongst others.

If you do go in, here are some things to look out for:

• A rare "three-decker" pulpit consisting of a clerk’s desk, a prayer desk and a high pulpit. The parson would occupy the prayer desk, ascending to the high pulpit to deliver his sermon. A clerk and the congregation would sit in descending order beneath him.
• Near the clerk’s desk, a wrought iron stand to hold an hour glass. These were relatively common and placed in full view of the preacher and congregation to limit the sermon. A shame it wasn’t restored along with the tower!
• Above the pulpit is a door that would once have opened onto a rood loft. This was a gallery above the carved rood screen and was used for chantings and readings. The rood screen is still present.
• A carved Elizabethan font cover. This was found during an earlier restoration and sits on a clunch font originally from Foxton Church.
• On the vestry door (directly opposite the main entrance) can be seen the holes attributed to the spears and bullets of Oliver Cromwell’s men.  This unlikely story appears in several old accounts of the church history, so perhaps there is something in it.
• A special surprise underneath the carpet close to the altar. If you want to take a copy, please use only your camera and replace the carpet carefully.

See: A history of the English parish: the culture of religion from Augustine to Victoria, Norman John Greville Pounds

It is possible to park almost next to the cache, in front of the church lawn. However, do take care driving down the narrow Church Lane as horses, children and farmers all use it occasionally. On a nice day, it’s better to park near the pub on the main street and walk the quarter-of-a-mile down the lane – see additional coordinates. The walk from there is perfect for buggies and wheelchairs although the hiding place is a few steps off the road.

If anybody would like to expand this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.