… is how the church’s website describes it. I must confess here that I’ve not seen it myself but I trust that the photos below, sent to me by a chum, will give you a sense of that. The website describes it as an exquisite, beautiful and fascinating church. It stands on a gentle rise of land above waterside meadows near the Thames – a spit from the Thames Path. Thus it’s a frequent stopping point for walkers.
William Morris
One point of note about this church is that the well-known designer William Morris (he of Kelmscott Manor) oversaw the restoration in the 19th century. He ensured the church kept its original mediaeval identity.
Paintings
Also making this church stand out is an incredible series of paintings. Created from the thirteenth to the nineteenth century, they cover the walls. They’re often painted one over another and they’re several layers thick in places. The website tells us that it’s not always easy to puzzle out the subjects. But it seems that you can see the fifteenth-century angels above the chancel arch. Also, an early fourteenth-century doom on the east wall of the north aisle, and several nineteenth-century texts, as well as a thirteenth-century masonry pattern throughout the chancel.
Further, the church boasts an unusual and powerful Saxon stone carving of the Madonna and Child set in the south wall.
Carved madonna and child in the south wall of Inglesham church
The woodwork of the roofs, the fifteenth-century screens and the seventeenth and eighteenth-century pulpit and box pews are all original to the church, and their arrangement is still much as it would have been in Oliver Cromwell’s time.
Malmesbury gardening and art competitions returns. The search is on for green-fingered residents and business owners to enter the annual Malmesbury in Bloom Garden Competition.
And once again, running alongside it, will be the Malmesbury in Bloom Multimedia Art Competition. That’s open to those living or at pre-school or school in the town, who are 18 or younger.
Malmesbury town councilrun both of these annual competitions. They celebrate the gardening and artistic endeavours of townsfolk, businesses and young people.
Categories
There are plenty of categories to enter. And there’s no need to have a large open space or garden, because there are even awards for window boxes and containers.
The categories include:
Best street/road/area
Best large garden
Also best small/courtyard/patio garden
The best veg patch
and best commercial premises.
There’s also an award for sustainable g.ardening. Now this isn’t a separate category to enter but is one awarded by the judges, looking for an approach to gardening that puts sustainability at its heart.
Malmesbury Mayor Phil Exton said he hoped for a glut of entries in all categories.
We’re always so impressed with the efforts residents and businesses make to brighten up our beautiful town with fantastic floral displays. And this competition helps celebrate their hard work,’ he said.
I’m also so looking forward to seeing the entries for the multimedia art competition – we’ve got some talented young people in the town.’
Malmesbury Mayor Phil Exton – photo by Barbara Leatham
Information
The closing date for the garden competition is Friday 19th July. And judging intended to take place the following week. Entries for the art competition must be in by Friday 26th July.
You can collect entry forms for both competitions from the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in the Town Hall. Or download them from the Town Council’s website at https://www.malmesbury.gov.uk/.
For more information email tic@malmesbury.gov.uk. The winners will be invited to an awards presentation evening at the Town Hall on Friday September 27.
St Michael’s church Highworth, or to give it its full title, St Michael’s & All Angel’s Church lays claim, on its website, to being the only 13th century church in the borough of Swindon. It’s not clear why their website says that because:
Anyway, putting that conundrum to one side, the St Michael’s website goes on to inform us that, high on the hill where the church now stands, men made their homes for over 2,000 years. Eons ago, in the ancient times, the settlement on this hill bore the nameVordaor Worth or Wrde.
The famous Domesday book had record of the church in Highworth. In it we can find the statement: ‘RADALPHUS, THE PRIEST, HOLDS THE CHURCH AT WRDE’.
St Michael’s Church Highworth
The church website carries a great deal of historical and architectural detail about the church through the centuries. For instance, the section on the 14th-15th centurytells that: ‘The earliest St Michael’s register records baptisms, marriages and burials beginning in 1539 during the reign of Henry VIII.’
In the first instance it seems that, in the south crossing, there’s a small glass case set on the wall. And contained in this case is displayed a Civil War era tabard, or short-sleeved coat. One Captain T. Batford wore the garment during the period 1642-1651.
Then the exterior of St Michael’s features another Civil War reminder. Beside the west door the masonry bears a large hole. The belief is that a cannonball fired during the Parliamentarian’s assault on the town on 27 June 1645. Now the church has in its possession an actual cannonball that may or may not be the guilty one.
English civil war cannonball in St Michael’s church Highworth – taken in 2014
If you like a ghost story you’re in luck. For, According to published reports in the London Illustrated News, Highworth church is haunted by a spectral figure. Though, being as no-one has reported a sighting since 1938 it seems to be a rather shy spook. That sighting described it as having a featureless countenance, with dark shadows where the eyes should have been.
On the topic of Highworth see also …
… the old post office in Highworth and Mabel Stranks:
Athelstan the Musical. A group of talented creatives are bringing the story of King Athelstan to life. It’s all part of the summer celebrations to mark 1100 years since he became the First King of England.
Being staged for the first time in Malmesbury abbey, in July, is an original, interactive play, Athelstan: A United Kingdom.
Written and produced by Alan Nixon and Paul Overton and directed by Andy Duncan, ‘Athelstan: A United Kingdom!’ is a 50 minute production. It telsl the story of Athelstan through the eyes of William of Malmesbury, the 12th century historian and poet. It’s his legacy that provides some information about Athelstan.
Paul said: ‘We’re not telling this story as an historian would. While we know some things about Athelstan there’s much we don’t know. Alan and I wanted to create a production that’s entertaining, fun and engaging. But that covers some of the main events that we know Athelstan had involvement in.
‘We’ve tried to create a performance with a ‘feel’ of Horrible Histories and the York Mystery Plays. For example, we know that Athelstan overcame opposition to his claim to the throne. So, to illustrate that, we’ve based a sequence on the BBC TV show Gladiators where “Eureka Johnson” will lead the charge as Athelstan takes on his rivals from history including Owain and Constantine.’
Alan, a former script-writer and producer with Radio 4 and Paul, who is a former headteacher with a love of writing, have been working hard with a cast and crew to create a production which will debut in the Abbey on Saturday July 13 at 4pm. There are four performances in total across the weekend. Tickets are free but limited numbers mean you must register.
The community
Community involvement in this production has been vital to its success. Local actor Robert Naylor-Stables will play Athelstan and John O’Brien will play William of Malmesbury.
Athelstan the Musical – John O’Brien who plays William of Malmesbury in the production ‘Athelstan – A United Kingdom’ which is part of the Athelstan 1100 events taking place in July.
Young people who are students of Malmesbury School are also taking part as part of the choir. Lizzi Kew-Ros has created the choreography for some scenes. And Wiltshire blacksmith Isaac Owen has made Athelstan’s crown.
Alan said: ‘The tireless enthusiasm of actors, musicians and singers will guarantee a memorable performance. We cannot thank enough all those who have given so much of their time and energy.’
RPA Lending a Hand. Swindon-based Revolution Performing Arts (RPA) is continuing its support for local families during the summer holidays. RPA is doing this through its Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme.
The national HAF programme gets funding from the Department of Education through Swindon Council. It aims to ensure that thousands of children, who usually receive free school meals, have access to nutritious, hot meals during the holidays. And while also enjoying free access to fun and engaging activities.
Sessions in Swindon will run:
Every Monday – Thursday morning from 29th July – 22nd August 2024.
At Croft Primary School, Marlborough Ln, Swindon SN3 1RA.
Fi Da Silva-Adams, Founder of RPA said: ‘I know from personal experience the profound effect the arts can have on children facing personal challenges.
Growing up in sometimes difficult circumstances, the arts became my sanctuary. We don’t provide therapy. But creative activities have a therapeutic element. What’s more they can effect a significant enhancment to a child’s ability to cope during difficult times. Plus, they’re enormous fun!
Support in difficult times
‘School holidays can be a particularly difficult time for some families. Many are struggling to provide food and activities for children. That’s all due to increased food and childcare costs and reduced incomes. To be able to support all children now with such joyous activities, regardless of their family’s financial situation, is such a blessing for me and my team.’
RPA Lending a Hand – Attached is a photo of young people engaging in the summer programme of activities in the summer of 2023.
The summer programme
The summer programme will feature an array of activities, including singing, dancing, acting and street dance. There’ll also be extra activities such as arts and crafts. There’ll also be visits from animal groups and public services, providing unique and enriching experiences for the children.
RPA has supported HAF helping Swindon families in the past. But the Wiltshire County Council’s FUEL programme has also enabled RPA to extend the programme to families in Chippenham, Malmesbury and Royal Wootton Bassett.
The FUEL programme is being held at the following three venues:
Sheldon School Hardenhuish Lane, Chippenham SN14 6HJ
Malmesbury Primary School, Tetbury Hill, Malmesbury SN16 9JR
and Wootton Basset Infants’ School, High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon SN4 7BS.
Fi Da Silva Adams founded RPA in 2007. The organisation specialises in encouraging young people to celebrate their individuality through the power of performing arts. And on an equal footing regardless of family income.
Fi’s message to parents and carers is: ‘At RPA, we focus on warmth, love, and inclusion. There are no special talent requirements, auditions, or exams. Children come here to enjoy themselves and shine!’
All the RPA leaders have enhanced DBS police checks and have received full safe-guarding and first aid training.
Eligible families will receive a voucher from their school, including a booking link to sign up.
Families from all backgrounds can also book sessions in private by contacting RPA at 01793 792983. Or by emailing office@revolutionpa.co.uk.
