We were invited to a christening of my old boss’s son, Louis, at Sible Hedingham. I requested if I can be the official photographer, lol, and Vicky / Peter agreed and accepted. So here’s the evidence. I know, I know, my wife said said that I shouldn't give up my day job. Here is the full slideshow with more pictures and higher resolution.
Fascinating name, eh? This rather large village has been in recorded existence for more than a millennium at least, having been recorded in the Domesday Book. But the actual history goes back to the bronze age. Romans were there, then standard British history takes over. It has a fascinating history which is well documented on its own website. On the left you see a plaque which I noticed on a post. It shows a knight on a charger on top, with a background of the St. Peter’s Church on top. Below there is a mill house with couple of swans and then four figures doing basic farming work.
We turned this corner (coming from the cutely named Braintree place, I would love to work there and what a fantastic address for any kind of knowledge based firm like training, software development or educational institutions.
We parked and then started up to the church which is on top of a small hillock.
The church notice board along with the notice on the left which talks about the Baptism.
The church is very old, hundreds of years back to Edward III (14th century) era, incorporates some Roman tiles as well. The square battlemented tower dates back to a later 16th century age. Some very poignant graves in the church graveyard.
A grave from the World War II on the left, while a grave of a soldier who fell in World War 1 on the right.
Another World War I soldier on the left and the war memorial on the top.
The war memorial close-up and a grieving angel on a grave.
Looking back at the road where I parked and took pictures. More pictures of the outside of the church on the slideshow. But now for the inside of the church. It was plain and very businesslike with some gems.
An extraordinary eagle. Roman connotations?
Strongly traditional artefacts. A British Legion Flag. A Union Jack with a small wooden shrine below with names of soldiers who have died in action painted on the doors. On the top of the shrine, it says, for God, King and Country.
Another two framed lists of soldiers who died in World War II. And here’s the King reference. On the north wall, this coat of arms of Edward III is hung up as the church was constructed during his reign from 1340-1370.
On the left, you have a pretty standard wooden church roof, but on the right, you have what I would have termed as a much older roof design. The wood is different, the carvings on the main support beams is different, it is stained differently. Quite interesting.
And here’s the baptismal font on the left and an extraordinary owl statue on the right. I wasnt able to find any reason for this, but to have Athena’s familiar in a church?
On the south wall, there is a beautiful memorial to Sir John Hawkwood who was born in this village. On the right, there is a picture of the gentleman concerned. This is a picture of his tomb in Italy. Quite an extraordinary story, do go and read the linked story of this fellow.
This photograph of the door is fascinating. You can see the whitewashed plastered wall, with a door arch much bigger than the actual door. Looks very ancient. I see this kind of a structure and walls in old buildings. In fact, this reminds me of my grandfather’s house in Allahabad, India. Similar kind of walls. Lovely.
Some of the guests, my two girls on the left. The proud parents standing on the right hand side photograph.
The happy parents with the young champ.
The main church window above the altar. Pretty impressive, eh?
The pianist and Louis.
On the far end, the roof above the altar, has these beams with shields at the end. Not very clear as to who they belong to. On the right, a strangely byzantine looking icon of St. Peter.
The vicar on the left and then we were asked to stop taking photographs by the gentleman on the right.
Then I took some photographs of the grave stones which are placed in the central aisle. Pretty old and ancient, eh?
Against the north wall is a model of the church.
Another view of the organ. I was surprised, usually these babies are much bigger. Then the photo session with the families.
The proud family on the left and then the godparents join in the right hand side photograph.
In the vestibule, there is a marble slab engraved with a memorial to the fallen in World War I.
Then we wandered down to the local pub to wet his head :)
The kids were playing with the pool table.
Louis with his christening cake.
Getting a scolding from a friend
And this was the best bit, a plaque on the pub wall. Says it all, doesnt it? :)
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