The Public Weighbridge House dates from the 1700s and is a Grade II listed property located within the Sherborne Conservation Area. It stands to the south and in front of Sherborne Abbey adjacent to Half Moon Street. Here, despite the small size of the building, it provides an important visual element to this part of the Conservation Area where it forms an intrinsic part of the public open space to the front of the Abbey and the streetscene along Half Moon Street. The weighing mechanism dating from before 1850 remains within the structure, but the weighbridge itself was removed for road widening in 1950.
Tags: Dorset, Public Weighbridge, Sherborne, Vacation
Originally built as St Johns’ Almshouse, the modern day St Johns’ House benefits from the unique surroundings of the original Almshouse buildings but residents now enjoy contemporary and comfortable accommodation in a relaxed and friendly environment. Applications are welcomed from all who wish to enjoy what life at St Johns’ has to offer, without many of the somewhat daunting constraints of the original Foundation Deed
The original Almshouse of S. John The Baptist and S. John The Evangelist is the best surviving example of a medieval Almshouse in Wessex. Its Foundation Deed is dated 10th January 1437 and provided for ‘Twelve pore feeble and ympotent old men and four old women’ to be cared for by a housewife whose duty was to ‘feeche in and dyght to the victaill wash wrying make beddys and al other things do’.
The Licence of King Henry VI to found the Almshouse is dated 11th July, 1437. The building was completed in 1448 and consisted of a Chapel (1442) and a hall with dormitories above. A fine doorway with niches and statues of the two Saints John provided the main entrance from Trendle Street.
Important to the street scene here are the Victorian iron posts and rails lining the kerb. Here the Almsmen would lean, smoke a pipe and chat to passers-by. The finials to the posts are a Bishop’s mitre, the badge of the Almshouse.
Through the Victorian gateway, noting the symbols of a lamb and flag for S. John the Baptist and an eagle for S.John the Evangelist, the present front door can be found tucked into a corner of the cloister. A brass plate declares ‘For the House’. Above the Chapel a bell rings to mark the various events in the life of this ancient community.
St Johns’ House and the original Almshouse buildings are governed, to this day, by the Master and Brethren who continue a body established in 1437.
Tags: Sherborne, St Johns' Almshouse, Vaction
Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.
John Muir
Tags: Beauty, Cherie's Place Thought, Nature, spirit, Woodland Walk
St Nicholas’ Church is a Grade II* listed building.[2] The church’s dedication was changed in 1490, to St Nicholas having previously been dedicated to St Magnus Martyr.[3]
The church was rebuilt in 1776, reusing medieval foundations and is considered a good example of the early Gothic revival. The rebuilding was financed by the Frampton family, who lived in the nearby manor house. The north aisle was added in 1841 and most internal fittings were renewed c1847.
The adventurer T. E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”), who died in 1935, is buried in the separate churchyard. He was a cousin of the Frampton family and had been a frequent visitor to their home, Okers Wood House. Lawrence’s mother arranged with the Framptons to have him buried in their family plot in the separate burial ground of St Nicholas’ Church.[4][5] Mourners included Winston and Clementine Churchill, E. M. Forster, and Lawrence’s youngest brother Arnold.[6][1][7]
In 1940, the church suffered a direct hit from a German bomb, and was largely destroyed.[1] It was rebuilt over the following decade, but the stained glass windows were replaced with plain green glass, which was not liked by the congregation.[1]
Laurence Whistler was commissioned to provide engraved glass replacements, and after making twelve, he offered to make and donate the thirteenth with a design on the theme of Forgiveness featuring Judas.[1] The offer was declined, but he made the window anyway.[1] After being displayed in a local museum, it was eventually installed – on the outside of the church (as the artist intended) – in 2014.[1]
Tags: Dorset, Glass, Laurence Whistler, Morton, St Nicholas Church, Vacation
If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Tags: #walk1000miles, Autumn, Cherie's Place Thought, Light, Nature, Walking
I have been busy walking during the past couple of days but I don’t have a single photo to share!
My first walk was a meet up with Linda, a fellow #Walk1000Miles walker to walk stage 4 part 1 of the T50 50 mile trail. Along the walk we had a random encounter with Naomi Wrighton, one of the people that helped devise the trail. I walked to the start of the walk and back home after the walk and was surprised to find that had clocked up just under 9 miles. A first for me 
My second walk was today with my hubby. Taking advantage of the sunny weather we had a leisurely drive followed by a walk around Stow on the Wold. We had an even more leisurely afternoon cake and cup of tea. After waiting over 30 minutes our order had not arrived. we learned that the couple who were sitting next to us had been waiting 50 minutes! Mr C got up to find out where our order was and the couple next to us left. Apparently, although our order had been taken it had not been placed with the kitchen!!!
We left and found another tea shop where we were served within a few minutes. I enjoyed a slice of apple and blackberry cake accompanied by elderflower presse.
As there are no photos of my walking adventures I will leave you with a photo from earlier in the week when I was enjoying lunch on the patio.
Tags: #walk1000miles, Cherie's Place, Stow on the Wold, T50 50 Mile Trail, Walking, Walking Challenge
