09 August 2013

Nearest village

From Burrington you can see both Exmoor and Dartmoor. It's mentioned in the Domesday Book as Berningstone; today the area population is about 540. At its centre, across from the village shop, is an old oak tree -
looking much as it did in 1900 (via) -
The lamp post was erected for Queen Victoria's Jubilee.

Other village amenities include a communications hub -
 and a pub, unfortunately closed on Tuesday lunchtimes, which is exactly when we were there -

"The church of Holy Trinity is an ancient edifice of stone, in mixed styles, consisting of a tower on the north side containing a clock and 6 bells; the clock was the gift of Mrs. Budgett in memory of her husband; the church was entirely restored in 1869 and has an open oak roof, the piers supporting it being solid monoliths of granite; there is a handsome carved oak screen and a memorial window to the Rev. James Buckingham, rector here from 1814; a brass tablet was erected in 1902 as a memorial to William Buckingham JP of Northcote Manor, and his wife and eldest daughter; a new organ was provided in 1900; and oak eagle lectern was presented to the church in 1910 by Mrs. Buckingham in memory of her husband A. W. Buckingham Esq.; the church has 350 sittings." (from Kelly's Directory, 1923)

The church dates to the 15th century, and the screen is amazing -
Carving on the screen includes pomegranates, associated with Catherine of Aragon
36 carved angels help hold up the vaulted roof
Ingenious use of carpet samples to make pews less uncomfortable
1900s(?) collection box behind the door
The visitors' book dates to 1982; many entries are from people who came to research their ancestors ("my great grandfather was christened here") but it's more unusual to read that someone was evacuated to the area during WW2.

1 comment:

vinay dhaka said...
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