This small moorland church stands majestically on top of the hill and looks out over splendid wooded views of the Webburn valley. Here Saint Peter stares westwards across to Saint John, the two Churches seem to stand guard over the valley. Luesdon Church (GC5AKZ0) was built in 1863 where as Buckland Church can boast a history dating back to the 12th century.
The 50 foot church tower has a stairway built in a turret on the south side. On the west side of the tower floor are medieval tiles. The 1930s clock face is unique. Instead of numbers it spells out ‘My Dear Mother’. It was installed as a gift and dedication to his mother by William Whitley, who commissioned the carving of the Commandment Stones at nearby Buckland Beacon. The clock was made by John Smith and Sons of Derby. On the quarter hour the clock chimes play “All things bright and beautiful.” You really must stay long enough to hear it.
Your eyes will be drawn to a single storied thatch building that stands at the bottom of the churchyard. Today this serves as the vestry and storehouse but it holds several claims to fame that befits its grandeur. Firstly, it is thought to be the only thatched vestry in the UK still in use and secondly the building is one of only four thatched buildings that serve a working purpose on Dartmoor - obviously excluding dwellings. The buildings register notes one other such building but although standing is no longer in use.
The large cross that stands near to the vestry has to have one of the best views afforded to any final resting place on Dartmoor. This memorial is to William Pollexfen Bastard and other members of his family, he was a descendent of the one time 17th century lord's of the manor, today, his memorial surveys over those one time manorial lands.
“My Dear Mother passed away December 2011, she was an inspiration for me in many ways and was my very best friend. She always gave me good advice that I never realised was right until I had made the wrong choices or made mistakes.” Maybe you would like to add something about “Your Dear Mother” in your log as I really enjoy reading interesting logs.
In Order to locate the Geocache you need to collect the following information located at the Waypoints.
Waypoint 1
Edward Neil Whitely - Born July 25 191A Died August 29 194B Aged 2C
Also His Brother
Peter Percy Whitley - Missing Over Cologne October 15/16 194D Aged 32
Waypoint 2
Herbert Hext Who Died March 14 19E1 Aged 8F
Also His Wife
Ellen Hext Who Died January 14 194G Aged 88
Also Their Son
William Edwin Hext Who Died August 4 1942 Aged H3
The Checksum for the collected numbers is 29
Next is to do some simple sums
N 50° 32.(A-E)(BxD+G)(F) W 003° 48.(C-D)(H)(E+F)
**************************************
For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.com.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
*************************************