Wandering around Canons Park…and I still had my camera set to Black and White
This rather strange Greek temple in the middle.
With the remnants of ivy on the wall
And some living ones
I keep on walking
till I reach this little tunnel
And then cross these trees
And I head towards the St. Lawrence Whitchurch
Handel used to play in this church!
the grave yard
a little plaque talks about the history of this little church
walking through the Lych Gate
the graves are all over the place
a couple? with graves leaning over each other?
an interesting grave with a covering..
And this lovely little grave, simple and dignified.
I found the church open and popped in. Here’s the church’s website.
the decorations on the left and right are actually murals, not actually sculptures. Quite curious
this church was the family church of the Dukes of Chandos, who owned the land around here. So dont expect major people here but despite that, normal people are remembered here.
Looking up
Its a lovely little Baroque construction church
the detailing is awesome, to see something such brilliant in a small church is fascinating.
Lovely painted fresco’s
More paintings on the walls, some very nicely done.
The pews had these rather interesting doors. Sounds like they were reserved for various people because they were numbered as well. One usually doesn't see numbered pews
Looking back
With lovely lamps
This is the original keyboard of the organ which Handel played, gosh, what a historical moment. This is kept in a little antechamber off the main church
And then you can turn up few steps and step into the mausoleum.
Its a really nice one, well maintained. The burial place of all the Dukes of Chandos and their families. Very well done with the carvings.
I turn to go out of the mausoleum.
A book of remembrance
The organists
People who have donated to the church
The baptismal font
Then we move into the vestibule
with this extraordinarily beautiful 18th century staircase which leads up to the Pews which the Duke of Chandos used
Some of the heraldic banners on the walls of the stairwell.
I reach the pew and look down at the church
Lovely ceiling
the chairs placed for the Duke’s family
I move outside into the graveyard
Old old graves…falling apart..and with some lovely decorations
the sun is setting
Some war graves here. brave soldiers, salutations
Some very nice decorations, good to see that they have not been forgotten
Remember the book of remembrance above? here’s a plaque which talks about their ashes.
this was a very strange grave ornament. looks like 2 hands coming up from the ground holding this vase. bit creepy if you ask me
This is a very nice exhibit, with a stone book, nice.
Another war grave…of a pilot.
Every time I see this, I love it, nothing in moderation, that’s what I want on my grave
shrubs growing out of the grave…some of them are not managed or maintained :(
two more soldier graves
looking up the graveyard
another angel…
another soldier’s grave
two cute little lambs
another extraordinarily beautiful grave
A mourner at a grave
An engraving on the Lych Gate
you can make out the old old beams
A police warning to dog walkers..
A more modern fence..enclosing a children’s playground
Walking back to the car
becoming dark in this twilight zone
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