Random thoughts and photos of my journey through life…
Filed under Faith Foundations, Heritage, Holidays, Lincoln 2015
The early 13th century, ten-sided Chapter House has hosted Parliament three times, and the College of Canons still meets here. Built as a meeting room to transact the business of the canons, the Dean’s throne is thought to date from the 1330s. The stained glass windows of the late nineteenth century give snapshots of the history of the Cathedral from William the Conqueror to John Wesley.*
*From Lincoln Cathedral, The Story So Far – A 1000 Year Journey That Still Continues
7 Comments CherryPie on May 2nd 2015
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12 Comments CherryPie on Apr 30th 2015
Just outside the grounds of Doddington Hall and Gardens lies St Peter’s Church.
St Peter’s Church dates back to the medieval period, and is visible in the Kipp print of 1707. In 1775, after completing the work in the Hall, John Delaval rebuilt the church in the flamboyant Gothick style, which he copied from the surviving medieval side of the chapel.
An imposing lead spire was removed in 1949, having become unsafe.
The church contains memorials to many of the Jarvis family who lived at Doddington or often died soldiering abroad. For a church of its size, St. Peter’s Church also has exceptional stained glass windows.*
*From Doddington Hall & Gardens handbook
12 Comments CherryPie on Apr 29th 2015
Remaining faithful to the original Elizabethan layout, mellow walls provide the framework for the formal East Front and West Gardens. Beyond the West Gardens begin the lovingly restored Wild Gardens. Over the generations, most recently by Antony and Victoria Jarvis and Claire and James Birch, the gardens at Doddington have been restored, cared for, nurtured and developed to their fullest potential.
A spectacular pageant of spring bulbs begins in early February with wonderful Snowdrops and Crocus Thomasianus, continuing through March and early April with drifts of Lent Lilies and our unique collection of heritage Daffodils, Aconites and Snake Head Fritillaries until May when our famous Irises steal the show in the West Garden. There are also winter-flowering and scented shrubs, Rhododendron, and an underlying structure is given by topiary and some wonderful trees – the ancient, contorted Sweet Chestnuts that overlook the croquet lawn are still productive.
Meandering paths lead you to our Temple of the Winds built by Antony Jarvis in memory of his parents, a turf maze that he made in the 1980s, and if you look hard you may find the ‘dinosaur’s egg’ (a large boulder that he put in the branches of a field maple tree to surprise the grandchildren).
Thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the formerly neglected two-acre Walled Kitchen Garden was restored to its former productive glory in 2007. Just a stone’s throw from the Hall, the Kitchen Garden now provides an abundance of fruit, vegetables, salads and herbs which take centre stage on the Café and Restaurant menus and are regularly for sale in our Farm Shop.
12 Comments CherryPie on Apr 28th 2015
On Sunday morning I awoke to brilliant sunshine, which was welcome as we were planning to visit one of the Shropshire gardens. We headed off to Dorothy Clive Garden in time for lunch. I was well behaved and avoided the temptation of a ‘naughty cake’ and opted for a delicious cherry scone with butter.
I have not visited the garden at this time of year before and was surprised to find it full of colour with spring bulbs and Rhododendrons that were just beginning to come into flower. In places I noticed that the garden looked a lot more open and empty than on my previous visits. I was saddened to learn from a sign board next to the stump of a felled tree that a number of Oak trees in the garden had succumbed to Phytophthora ramorum (sudden oak death) meaning they had to be felled to try and stop the spread of the disease.
When we had finished enjoying the garden we weren’t ready to go home so we opted for a scenic detour which led us to find the delightful Sugnall Walled Garden and Tea Room. We enjoyed a refreshing drink, in my case Elderflower Presse, whilst looking out over the walled garden and watching the rise of the moon in the sky. After being suitably refreshed we took a stroll around the kitchen garden before heading off home. I hope to have the opportunity to visit the garden in a few months time when the produce is more advanced and in full fruit.
4 Comments CherryPie on Apr 27th 2015
Amor saca amor.
St. Teresa of Avila
Love begets love.
14 Comments CherryPie on Apr 26th 2015
