Menoffagainorrhoea; Sunday Shone On

Thursday past, I showed you Melford Hall. In this large village of Long Melford, though, there are several places of note. Not least among these is the imposing Holy Trinity Church. A significant trade in wool during the 14th and 15th centuries gave rise to the Suffolk 'Wool Towns' and notable among them was this very village. (Interested in textiles? Here's a rundown on the Suffolk 'draperies'.) At its height in this industry, Suffolk could match the wealth of London. This was reflected in all the very fine architecture of this county and explains why a lot of the churches in even the smallest of places are a 'cut above'.

Anyway. Leaving the hall car park, we drove the 800 metres or so up the hill to the park near the church. Most would have walked it, but I remind you, my legs (and body) were failing me and the heat was contributing to Aitch starting to wane a bit too. We took it gently. Whilst she hunted cache, I entered the immense building.

As village churches go, it was certainly imposing. It even had a full 'shop' at the back by the door. However, if I am honest, of all the churches we fitted into our couple of weeks together, this one did not 'move the spirit within' as others did. Have been pondering this again as I prepared this post. It is very difficult impossible to convey how it is that I feel 'energies'. For all the care of the grounds and fabric of this building, for all the display of who was who in the congregational service, I couldn't detect the heart here. Doesn't mean there isn't one, it just wasn't available to me on this visit.

After a hunt for a couple more caches down in the village proper, we turned to the road home. We were both 'well-cooked' and ready for a cuppa. As we came to one corner, though, a spire on another hillside caught both our attention - we are a bit predictable by now, methinks!!! We are queens of spontaneity when it comes to old buildings but particularly churches and of these, there is a plentiful supply in East Anglia. Aitch pointed the car's nose in the direction this spire looked to be and before long we were there. It turned out to be Great Waldingfield, St Lawrence. We were quite late in the day (close to six o'clock if memory serves) so the church was locked. (This may not have been unusual if the writer at that link has anything to say about it!)

The window on the left can be seen on that website link from the inside - it would appear to be quite magnificent. However, it has to be said that the externals of this building had us both wondering. The original building was from the 14th century, but clearly, there had been 'modifications and improvements' over the years! Frankly, it looked a bit 'lego'!!! It was fascinating but we had to be satisfied with the externals only. A look at that website reveals that the quirky continues on the inside though.

You will note in the above photo that the churchyard has been left to grow. Mara had remarked on a previous post about the 'untidiness' of the Elmham churchyard. I knew this to be in relation to encouraging natural habitat for insects, bees and butterflies - because this one church did actually have a sign up near the gate stating this was their purpose! That said, there is a certain duty of care regarding maintenance around headstones; Aitch very kindly forwarded this pamphlet - Suffolk churchyard care - which states clearly the purpose but the duties associated with this kind of environmental maintenance. It's worth the read!