Staine Hundred
The November Meeting was well-attended and members were rewarded by a most
interesting talk by Mrs Cloe Cockerell, Field Officer for the Church
Conservation Trust. This Trust was set up in 1969 by an Act of Parliament and
receives 2/3rds of its income from the Government and the remainder from the
Church Commissioners. There 16,000 Anglican Churches in England and one tenth
of these have become redundant. Alternative uses have been found for over half
of these, particularly in towns where they may become museums, exhibitions
halls, day centres for the elderly, or be converted into dwellings or offices.
Some 20% are demolished - a figure likely to increase in the future. But there
are a core of churches which are of particular outstanding historic,
architectural or archaeological national importance which come under the care
of the Conservation Trust. At present they care for 330 churches and take on
about six more each year. These remain consecrated and are used for occasional
services and the Trust promotes public access.
"A thousand years of churches" was the title of the talk, and the speaker showed slides of these "churches in retirement" with features dating from Saxon times to Victorian times. We heard of some of the problems, such as a wood-shingled tower which was being attacked by woodpeckers and which had to be lined with stainless steel to keep out the wet; the meaning behind carvings and sculptures of mermen on fonts, cockatrices (half cock and half snake) on pew ends, wall paintings of 1400 warning against swearing and other vices; stories behind memorial windows; visiting the crypt containing 41 lead coffins to ensure that the humidity was right as it had once been flooded. We saw churches of all sizes from St PeterŐs in Cambridge to a massive church of Portland stone built in the 18th century next to the stone quarry; and one with a gallery with a fireplace where the squire could look down on the congregation freezing below. We were encouraged to visit All Saints Church in Jesus Lane which was built in the 19th century to replace the one in Trinity Street which became too small for the congregation, and where much restoration work has been done to return the work of William Morris and his associates to its former glory. Mrs Cockerell ended with Swaffham Prior, explaining that St Julitta died around 300 at the time of Roman persecution refusing to give up her faith and her 3 year old son Cyriac was executed at the same time.
The next meeting on December 10th will be an informal party evening with readings. quizzes and refreshments.