Underneath The Arches

This is St Mary and Corpus Christi Church in Down Hatherley, a little village somewhere between Cheltenham and Gloucester. The site of the church dates from around the 15th century but the main church building is from 1859.

That is it really, just look at the pretty little church!

Court Side

This is the side of the building that was once home to the County Court and has now stood empty for over three years. You can find it in the originally titled County Court Road!

Once again sorry for my absence on the old commenting rounds. I'm a busy boy this week.

Theme Day - Paths And Passages

Yes, its the first of the month again and that means its Theme Day across the CDP Blog community. This is one of the paths off of the Lower High Street leading to St Marys Church, which is the parish church of Cheltenham. If you want to know more about the church scroll down to my squirrel post the other day and follow the link. There isn't much more to say other than I liked the light and shadows in this photo. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Make sure you come back tomorrow to see the next installment in my Changing View series.

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Have You Seen My Nuts?

I couldn't resist today's title! Anyway, I was cutting through the churchyard of St Marys Church, in the heart of Cheltenham, when I spotted this little chap busy hunting for his buried treasure. I hope he found what he was looking for.

If you want to know more about St Marys Church then check out my past post 'There's Something About Mary' It is my only post that didn't receive any comments and I really like the photo. So be kind and make a Cheltonian happy!

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Sky Watch Friday

This is a view across the roof tops of Cheltenham. On the left of the photo is the spire of St Mary's Church, the Parish church of Cheltenham, and on the right is the tower of Cheltenham Library. As you can see from all the cloud we are still suffering from a Great British summer. Where has the sun gone?!

Head over to Wiggers World to find out who else is Sky Watching.

View Point

I took this photo from the rooftop car park of the Regent Arcade. Its not an earth shattering photo, I just thought it showed off a few different things in Cheltenham. The little street is Ormand Place, it used to open onto the Promenade but the end was pedestrianised and recently a flower stall has taken up residence there. On the Prom you can see the taxi rank and past that, the yellow flowers in the Long Garden. Then you've got the Municipal Building (well part of it). And beyond the Council Offices, in the top right of the photo, is the spire of St Marys Church, Cheltenhams Parish church. As I said, not earth shattering but I hope you enjoy seeing a wider view of town.

Statler and Waldorf

Cheltenhams very own grumpy old men live on the side of St Mary's Church in the heart of town. When I first saw them they reminded me straight away of Statler and Waldorf from The Muppets. I can't find anything on whom these carvings might be based, so I'll tell you about the puppet versions instead! As most people may know, Statler and Waldorf are named after two New York hotels - Statler Hotel and the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. In The Muppets Waldorf's wife was named Astoria and, when she made an appearance, looked just like Statler dressed as a woman (minus the moustache!). The feisty duo are renowned for their cutting comments and constant moaning about the show, but turn up every week to watch! The characters were originally performed by Richard Hunt and Jim Henson, until their deaths, and have appeared in nearly ever episode. When The Muppet Show moved from the theatre to a T.V studio Statler and Waldorf watched from a retirement home!

For more on St Mary's Church click on 'st marys' in the labels below. Still not sure how to create a link within the blog!

There's Something About Mary

St Mary's Church is the parish church of Cheltenham and lies right in the heart of town. It is encompassed by Clarence Street and the Lower High Street and is adjacent to Cheltenham Library. Where, as once, it was visible by all in the town, today it is surrounded by shops and offices and is hidden from view. It is accessed by Well Walk and several alleyways from the High Street and is defiantly worth venturing off of the beaten track to find. The church is the oldest building in town and the only surviving Medieval one. St Mary's was built by the abbey of Cirencester in the early 12th century although the majority of the church is from the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1859 the church was closed by the Rev. E. Walker as it was deemed no longer fit for public worship. It under went extensive work and renovations and reopened in 1861. The Parishioners were re-homed at the tin church of St Matthew's, which was eventually replaced by a stone church between 1872 and 1895. The two Churches are now linked as Cheltenhams parish church and under take many significant religious programs, including the creation of schools in Africa. There are many old grave stones and plaques in the graveyard one of which reads - "To the memory of John Higgs, died 1825. Here lies John Higgs, A famous man for killing pigs, For killing pigs was his delight, Both morning, afternoon and night, Both heats and cold he did endure, Which no physician could e'er cure, His knife is laid, his work is done, I hope to heaven his soul is gone."
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