A group of more than 30 members and friends gathered at All Saints Church on a beautiful summer evening to have a tour of the building with Churchwarden Paul Bevan. Paul had given us some homework in preparation for the tour, four unusual things to find. The Anglo-Saxon figure on the outside of the south wall was easy to spot as it is protected by a Perspex sheet but the others were more tricky. With Paul’s help we found the apotropaic device of a daisy wheel by the front door. This was a mark to keep the devil out and they can often be found on inglenooks or chimney breasts in old houses. The bench mark, on the tower, was made as a point of reference for OS maps, to show altitude and the pudding stone, a composite rock made of minerals of different sizes was found on the south side of the original church building. Do look out for these when you visit the church!
Back inside, Paul gave us an overview of the various parts of the building and we looked at the tombs of Thomas Higham, Thomas Priest and Samuel Craddock among others. We also saw Thomas Higham’s helmet which was stolen in the 1970s and eventually found near Dereham. A replica hangs on the church wall and the original is now kept in a secret location. There was time to look around the building and to peruse photographs and documents while groups of 8 climbed up to the clock tower, a first for most people.
Te and cake were served afterwards in the Benefice Hall and Paul was thanked for his excellent presentation.
Our next meeting is on 19th September in the WI Hall at 7.30 when Geoffrey Rush will talk about the Americans who were stationed here during the War – ‘Overpaid, oversexed and over here’
More information is always available from the secretary, Gillian Cooper, on 820052
