A cache created by The Stowmartians and later adopted by TeamCairney
2nd in our Bramford series and adding to the Church Micro series
This cache is a 35mm film pot
You will need a pen/pencil to sign log
St Marys Church
St Mary the Virgin Bramford parish church is attractively situated beside the river Gipping in the village of Bramford just to the west of Ipswich.
The earliest part of the church, the chancel, was built by the monks of Battle Abbey in the late 13th century, while most of the rest of the church dates from the early 14th century.
The main approach from the village is from the north, so it was the north side which became the showpiece. The walls are faced with split flint and the embattled parapets are embellished with fine carving, including pinnacles in the form of intriguing creatures. (Look for the Bramford monkey dressed as a monk.)
Enter by the north porch and you will find the interior to be lofty and dignified. Look up and you will see a fine hammer beam roof which was originally adorned with carved angels to remind medieval congregations of the heavenly host, with whom the church on Earth joins in worship. Sadly these were destroyed by the Puritans in 1642 but some details remain and it is still possible to imagine what the original effect might have been. A small fragment of wall painting on the north side of the southeast tower buttress reminds us that the church walls were probably covered with painting in medieval times.
Below the tower is the 15th century stone font with its intricately carved wooden cover, a rare and beautiful piece of early 16th century craftsmanship. The tower itself houses six bells, five of which were cast at the celebrated Miles Graye's Colchester bell foundry in 1632.
Looking to the east end, beside the rare early 14th century screen is the Elizabethan pulpit with linen fold panelling. This is the top part of what was originally a two or three deck pulpit.
The chancel and sanctuary were extensively restored in the late 1800s, culminating in the beautiful stained glass east window in 1904, but the south wall of the sanctuary retains its original 13th century piscina and set of triple sedilia.
The cache is not located in the churchyard.
Parking is available at the old school car park.
All the caches are not too far apart and could be completed in a morning or afternoon. We have set this series with families in mind knowing how much our 2 young nieces enjoy coming out with us and caching but not always enjoying the walks!!
If anyone would like to expand this Church Micro numbered series please do. Please contact sadexploration via this website, so that he can keep track of the church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
****Well done to TIGERTHUMBS for being FTF****