Pewfinder - Leicester Chronicle Articles

Foxton Church - March 2011

When the weather is sunny and warm you can make a sure bet that Foxton Locks is busy with lots of visitors enjoying the boats, the locks and an ice cream. But instead of trying to struggle to find a place to park I have an alternative for you. Foxton village is less than a mile further on and has a fine church that is always open, its far less crowded and you can still enjoy a walk to the locks without the crowds. In 1797 the church was reported as being very dirty, the seats 'wretchedly bad, the roof leaky, the walls defective, and the interior in need of plastering.’ Thankfully the people of Foxton now keep their church in far better condition and it has some fine features. There is the Norman font, the fine tall arcades and the remains of a Saxon cross that predates the present 800 year old building. It has character too, and although it underwent the usual Victorian restoration they accomplished this with care. After a look around the church you can cross the road to the nearby pub and then walk along the canal tow-path to the Foxton Locks, its only a ten minute walk and usually quiet. I do like Foxton church and visiting this way makes for a fine morning out, can I just ask the money you save on parking at Foxton Locks you leave as a small donation in the church, these buildings all need our help.

Horninghold Church - April 2011
I have been travelling through this village for years and I think it is the oddest place in Leicestershire. I have never seen anyone ever walking in the village or anything else going on. I am taking about Horninghold in east Leicestershire, near to the county border of Rutland. The village is overbearingly pretty with its honey coloured stone cottages and well maintained gardens and hedges. The village was in fact rebuilt and designed by the Hardcastles of nearby Blaston Hall in the early part of the 20th century. They set out to create a 'garden' village, planted with a great variety of trees and ornamental shrubs. The cottages are built of local ironstone, are planned on generous lines, and stand in large gardens. Where original early-17th-century features existed, Hardcastle was careful to retain them, and all later work was altered to conform with this style.
The church is very interesting and has had very little work completed on it compared to many churches in the county, it has a fine Norman south doorway, a 13th century coffin lid and an ancient font. Inside walls curve and there does not seem to be a straight line anywhere.
Horninghold has no shops, pubs or even a village hall (the church acts as that I believe) so perhaps that is the reason why it is so quiet. Now quiet is never a bad thing, but occasionally I like a bit of movement and noise and perhaps that is why I have always found Horninghold 'odd'.

Thornton Church - May 2011
Leicestershire is landlocked of course, so it is always nice to walk by some open water and get the feeling your not in the county anymore but by some sun drenched beach wearing a ‘kiss me quick’ hat.
Well perhaps that is a slight exaggeration when visiting Thornton reservoir but on a Spring day the walk around this small reservoir which takes around an hour is very enjoyable and there is a detour that makes it even more worthwhile. After parking in the main car-park head clockwise around the water. After passing the boat hire and cafe there is a path leading up a steep hill to Thornton church. The 13th century building is usually locked but a key can be obtained from the shop a few yards away through the Lychgate. Last month I returned for a wedding (congratulations to Ed and Sabrina!) and it gave me the opportunity again to admire some of its features. The church of St Peter has a large wooden door with ‘sanctuary ring’ still attached which supposedly came from Ulverscroft Priory. There are also some excellent pew end carvings dating from around 1500-1560, a set of colourful painted boards from 1820 depicting the Lords Prayer and Commandments, and some 14th century medieval glass to admire. After your visit you can walk into the village for some refreshments or head back down the hill to continue your walk around the reservoir. Take your time walking down the hill, firstly to admire the great views, but secondly because it is rather steep!

Swithland Church - June 2011
Swithland is famous for its slate which is found all over the county and further a field in churchyards as finely etched gravestones. Today the disused quarries are now known as Swithland Woods, and there are some fine walks around them and the surrounding countryside.
The churchyard also contains some very good engraved slates. On the east side of the churchyard is the tomb of Sir Joseph Danvers built by John Hind in 1745. It is built half in and half out of the churchyard and legend has it that his favourite dog ‘Bodyguard’ is buried in the part of the tomb which lies outside the churchyard. To the west of the church there used to be rectory, now gone, where according to legend, the daughter of an 18th century rector was murdered by a treacherous butler. The 'Grey Lady' is now said to haunt the area, so if you do visit keep a lookout for her.

The 13th century church has a pretty interior and much to admire. However you are going to have trouble seeing anything inside as it is usually locked. A fellow ‘pewfinder’ refers to our county jokingly as the ‘Leicestershire Club of Locked Churches (LCLC for short)’. But for me this hides a serious issue, these churches should be unlocked, and if nearby Rutland can do it, I do not see why more of Leicestershire’s churches cannot be opened up for people to visit.

Inside the church there are some very good slates and other memorials in the south aisle built by the Danvers family. The organ inscribed John Snetzler 1765 was the favoured organ builder to George III and John Danvers instructed him to build the instrument for Swithland.
Finally there is the 15th century brass of Agnes Scott with this touching inscription;

Enclosed in this tomb lies Agnes Scott
Called the devout mother of Lady Ferrers
Whoever thou shall be: you shall pass by
Pour out thy prayers I beg
I am what thou shalt be
I used to be what thou art
Pray for me, I beg, Pray.

Swithland although usually locked is still worth a visit due to the pretty and interesting churchyard. There is a pub in the village for refreshments, and if the church is locked there is always nearby Bradgate for a visit.

Breedon-on-the-Hill Church - St Mary & St Hardulph - July 2011
If you are looking for bracing air and dramatic views then visit the church at Breedon on the Hill as it has plenty of both.
In 675 a monastery was founded on the hill but it fell into decline when the Danes ransacked the area. In 1122 the Augustinians built a Priory with cloisters and domestic quarters leading from the west end of the church. All that remains of the Priory now is the chancel and tower which form the bulk of this imposing church.
After the Reformation, Francis Shirley of nearby Staunton Harold Hall purchased the priory from Henry VIII to be used as a burial place for himself and his family. The local villagers also petitioned that the Priory should become their parish church as their current one was ruinous. The petition succeeded and they cleared the old buildings to the west whilst salvaging some fine Saxon carvings which they placed in the south porch. In 1937 these carvings of national importance were placed inside the south aisle to protect them from the elements where they can still be admired today.
In the north aisle, Francis and his family built their monumental tombs. The most imposing monument from 1598 is to George Shirley and his wife (died aged 29 in childbirth). It stands on finely carved columns and underneath is a gruesome alabaster carved skeleton that represents the end that awaits us all.
The grand wooden structure in the north aisle is the Shirley pew and it dates to 1627. The Shirley family would have sat in 'the box' hidden behind curtains away from the prying eyes of the 'less important' commoners around them.
The Shirley connection does not stop there. Laurence Shirley the fourth Earl was the last member of the House of Lords to be hanged. On January 18th 1760 he shot and killed John Johnson his steward who is buried in the graveyard at Breedon. Earl Ferrers was hanged at Tyburn in May 1760.
There is parking, great views, and an area for a picnic, and if you do get bored you can always hunt for John Johnsons headstone and the interesting epitaph. My only hint is it’s near to the church. The church is usually open to visitors and please leave a donation if you visit. Last but not least, take a kite - its always windy on Breedon Hill.