The exact date of the foundation of St. Anne’s Church is not known. The present Grade 2 listed 19th century structure is the successor to at least three previous chapels on the same site, the first recorded of which was well established by the late 14th century. It is most likely to have originated some tow hundred years earlier than tha, when Bishop Hugh du Puiset (1153-1195) made his Manor House at Auckland the principle residence of the Bishops of Durham, with all the staff and dependent required for their princely as well as Episcopal state.
It seems to have been originally a ‘chapel of ease’ outside Auckland Castle walls, for the purpose (according to Matthew Richley, a local C19th historian)
“of preventing overcrowding of the Bishop’s own chapel and of keeping its congregation more select; and of providing accommodation for the elderly, infirm and others unable to attend the ancient Parish Church of St Andrew.”
Another local antiquarian, William Hutchinson, writing in 1794, says,
“This chapel was of great antiquity, and dedicated to St Anne, appertaining to the guild instituted in the Church of St Andrew, in which chapel the guild was held to the time of Edward VI” *
*From a chuch leaflet – A brief historical outline of the Church of St Anne, Bishop Auckland
Tags: Bishop Auckland, Church, St Anne's Church, Vacation
I spotted these lovely snowdrops whilst checking out a route that I intend to add as an event in one of my local walking groups. A few weeks before Christmas I had a failed attempt at adding the event. Facebook showed others a different time (one hour later) than the one I had scheduled for the start, whilst showing me the time I intended. Re-walking the route today made me think that the failed attempt was a blessing in disguise, I had chosen to walk the circular in the opposite direction from the way I normally walk it. Today, I realised that the walk is not as good in the direction I had originally planned.
Along the way I noticed that a small housing development I had watched progressing during my lockdown walks was finally complete. In front of two most prominent bungalows there was a large poster showcasing ‘The Wrekin Rowers‘, a local team who are taking part in the ‘Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2021‘, raising money for RNIB and Severn Hospice. The four-man team have recently, suffered a setback when the spike of a marlin (a giant fish) pierced their boat causing it to take in water. The team have managed to patch the hole with a sandwich box, however the water taken on board has made the boat heavier and slowed their progress to the finish line.
Much later in the day, whilst I was cooking dinner the doorbell rang… Who could it be?
Mr C and I were treated to a lovely unexpected visit from a friend we hadn’t seen for far to long. Dinner was slightly delayed 
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2022, Friends, Friendship, Leegomery, Shropshire, Snowdrops, Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2021, Wrekin Rowers
This year for my photo project I have chosen to take at least one photo each month of the plunge pool in Apley Woods. Today, I walked there for the first time in 2022. As part of my walk I took in the new owl sculpture just outside the woods.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2022, 2022 Plunge Pool Project, Apley Woods, Owl Sculpture, Shropshire
The Mining Art Gallery located in Bishop Auckland contains artwork of prominent artists including art from Tom McGuiness and Norman Cornish. The Mining Art Gallery provides a unique insight into the lives and souls of coal miners by depicting their life in the mines and the communities that grew around them.
These incredible pieces illuminate and preserve a vital aspect of coalfield heritage for us to appreciate and study.
Culture, life, and community sprung out from mining in the North East; it’s our history, it’s our character, and it’s who we are. These inspiring works showcase the resilience and courage of those who lived and worked in the mines, and give an incredible perspective on how human creativity and spirit can shine even in the darkest places.
Created in partnership with Dr Robert McManners OBE and Gillian Wales, the gallery will take you on an exploration of the art, culture, and context of the mining industry and its place in the history of County Durham.
Tags: Bishop Auckland, Durham, Norman Cornish, The Mining Art Gallery, Tom McGuiness, Vacation
The life size bronze statue of Stan Laurel is located on Theatre Corner, the site once occupied by the Eden Theatre owned by his parents. Laurel, featured in his iconic head-scratching pose, dressed in dungarees, with paintbrush in hand, is standing on a cubed marble plinth, with 13 iconic film reels at his heels.
Tags: Bishop Auckland, Durham, Stan Laurel, Stan Laurel Statue, Vacation
We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.
- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J.
Tags: Cherie's Place Thought, Stonehenge, Stonehenge Landscape, Vacation, Wiltshire
