St Margaret’s Church, Alstone

19 November 2007

 

For Teresa’s autumn visit to a local church, we chose the nearby Alstone, which we had not yet seen.  Though Alstone is signposted at the Toddington roundabout, subsequent indications are easy to miss – as we almost did.  The village lies down a very minor road off the main road to Tewkesbury.  Apart from the church, the village comprises several impressive old houses and some new ones, but apparently little else.

 

 

The church is on a small site flanked, indeed, overlooked, by private houses and farmland.  From the road all the main features – church, graveyard and peacock topiary are clearly in view.

 

We nearly aborted our visit – the access gate initially did not yield, and, once through that, the security gate on the porch appeared to be locked – until Teresa pointed out that the padlock, though closed, did not pass through the hasp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original building dates from the 12th and 13th Centuries, and the chancel arch, east window, font and south door date from this period.  Most of the rest of the structure results from the further extensions and refurbishment undertaken in the 17th Century.

 

 

 

 

 

The wooden bell tower, housing a single bell, is from the18th Century

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fine eagle lectern, and flower arrangement – poppies from Remembrance Sunday.

 

 

 

 

The 12th/13th Century chancel arch.

 

 

 

 

 

The church is dedicated to St Margaret, celebrated in this tapestry.

 

In the south wall, two 16th/17th Century window lights have survived.

 

 

 

 

 

A transcription of the text of a memorial tablet on the north wall, dated 1671, and thought to be associated with the Darke family who were prominent in the community at the time.

 

We wondered whether they were related to the Reverend Darke(s), for whom our old house in Prestbury, Darkes Farm, had been named a hundred or so years earlier.

 

 

 

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