St Eadburgha’s Church, Broadway

 

8 June and 5 July 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we first tried to visit this church (in April 2002), we found it locked following a robbery – the old parish chest with three locks is still missing from an earlier robbery

 

We returned recently in June to find it open again:  indeed we were one of three sightseeing couples there at the same time.  We also went back a month later while Helen was with us. 

 

The building dates from Norman times, with later additions and alterations

 

The tower contains the belfry; the high-level floor, on which the bell-ringers would at one time have stood, has been removed, so looking up one sees the bell ropes, looped up above

 

 

 

On a wall in the north aisle some of the old bell clappers have been mounted

 

 

 

 

The chancel and east window

The font is believed to be early, possibly 10th Century, and is of a very simple style

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helen looking down from the pulpit

 

Behind the altar, on the wall is an old memorial brass (left)

 

Other interesting details are the piscina for washing communion vessels in the south transept, probably once a chapel, and a wheeled bier said to be in use until after the Second World War

 

 

 

Teresa outside the north transept

 

 

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