Church Micro 2319... Bishops Lydeard Traditional Cache
Church Micro 2319... Bishops Lydeard
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A quick cache near a lovely church in Bishops Lydeard for the Church Micro Series
There is parking nearby in the village but please do not park on double yellow lines or block any gateways. This cache may be combined with The Whisky Trail cache or extended to include a circular walk from or to the West Somerset Railway Station where there are further caches. The church itself is well worth the visit. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the church in 2012 for the wedding of friends. The house-owners are aware of the cache but muggles can come at you without warning and the first class butcher’s shop is very popular with lots of muggles in and out. The church of St Mary the Virgin in Bishops Lydeard is one of the finest historic churches in Somerset, a county blessed with plenty of competition for that title! The church is first documented in 1239, but it seems very likely that there was a place of worship here much earlier. Rising to 100ft is the tall rose-coloured 14th century Perpendicular tower. The tower rises in four stages to battlements and pinnacles, all built of red sandstone from the Quantock Hills. As satisfying as the exterior of St Mary's is, it is the interior that makes a visit to Bishops Lydeard so worthwhile. The nave is composed of four bays in Perpendicular style. The nave rises to a panelled wagon roof, which leads to the chancel arch and the treasure that lies beneath it. The medieval rood screen has beautifully carved panels and colorful painted sections. It dates to the 16th century, though the carved figures panels were added by Sir Ninian Comper. At the top of the screen is Latin script, spelling out the Apostle's Creed. The Jacobean pulpit is carved and painted to a high standard, and the painted bench ends compliment the screen beautifully. The subject matter of the pew carvings is quite diverse; they include a pelican, other birds, trees, a coat of arms, foliage, a windmill, and a sailing ship. Not only are the bench ends carved, but the backs of the benches themselves. The font is also Perpendicular, with carved rosettes about the octagonal bowl. There are several interesting memorials, including a brass to Nicholas Grobham dated to 1585, which depicts, among other things, a boy blowing bubbles. At the back of the church is the royal charter of Edward I. Pause in the churchyard to examine the 14th century cross, with the twelve apostles carved around the base. There is a second cross, believed to be a medieval village cross, which was moved to the churchyard in Victorian times. For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?id=275067 please read the "Place your own Church Micro" page http://www.15ddv.me.uk/geo/cm/place_your_own.html before you contact him. See also the Church Micro Statistics page http://www.15ddv.me.uk/geo/cm/cm.html and Home page http://www.15ddv.me.uk/geo/cm/index.html for further information about the series.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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