| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Leader: | |
| When: | Monthly on Fridays 11:00 am Last Friday of the Month |
Crowland Abbey April 2026
On our visit to Crowland Abbey we were met by two very well informed guides who took us through the history of the Abbey. The abbey had been very extensive and originally had a community of 600 working with it before it became a victim of Henry Vlll's seizure of church property. Today the parish church is formed from what remains of the north aisle, so it gives some idea of how massive the original abbey church would have been. We split into two groups to go round the abbey and our first picture shows one group looking at the entrance and the tower. The second picture shows what would have been the main front window with the niches for holy figures. The third abbey picture shows the full frontage of what is left today and how the present parish church is only a fraction of the original church.
After seeing the abbey we went to a local cafe for lunch and on the way passed the unique 3 way bridge. In mediaeval times two streams had flowed into the high street and this bridge had been build over the position where they joined. This explains the Y shape of the bridge with its 3 arches. Draining of the Fens has lowered the water table which has rendered the bridge unnecessary, it however remains as a distinctive landmark for Crowland.
Stamford and its surrounding areas have a rich history with architectural features in its churches dating from Roman and Norman times through to the present day. Each church has a unique architectural and social story to tell; what may look familiar has its own take on ecclesiastical fashions, the local economy and local people. Each month we visit a different church in the local area learning about these histories and unique features from local people who use and love the church.
The group meets on the last Friday of the month from March to October when we visit a selected church inthe area for a conducted tour and then adjourn to a local hostelry for a convivial lunch together.
St Michael’s and All Angels, Uffington 29th August 2025
Our August visit found us in Uffington just down the road from Stamford, thankfully the weather held for us, so we could look round the church yard in the dry. Our Michael gave us a comprehensive talk about the church, the village and the notable families and his favourite topic the church organ. It was noted that of the six bells ,two were made locally at the Tobie Norris, the bell foundry where now the pub is situated. So hopefully we now know of the Bertie, Trollope and the Manners families.
Some pictures from the Church Visiting Groups at St Michael’s and All Angels.
St Andrews 20th June 2025
I think the mercury was climbing to 28C as we had our visit to St Andrews on one of the hottest days of the year on Friday 20th June
Allan Crowson welcomed us and gave us an in depth talk, discussion about the church alongside Margaret a local lady with a knowledgeable insight as regards the village and the church with local families
It is a 13th century church and as usual renovated by the Victoria's, outside Allan pointed out unusual aspects of the building for instance tower/steeple with battlements
Inside we enjoyed the cooler atmosphere looking at the stained glass windows, the alter, the chancel ceiling is Victorian with various symbols appertaining to the crucification
I personally think the “piece de resistance” is the candelabra over the main aisle, which is lit my candles on special occasions and looked after quite lovingly by the church warden
Christine Bickley
