All Saints is the parish church of Evesham and, together with its bell tower and St Lawrence church, represent the last complete structures from the foundation of Evesham Abbey. Evesham Abbey was founded on the site of a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary by the swineherd Eof, subsequently endorsed by Egwin, the third Bishop of Worcester (639 – 717). The Abbey was founded circa 709 and dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. *

The two churches of All Saints and St Lawrence share the same churchyard. Both were founded in the late 12^th century as parish churches for the growing medieval town. When they were built these two churches stood in the shadow of the Abbey Church of St Mary and St Egwin (comparable in size with Gloucester Cathedral). **

*Information from a signboard next to All Saints church

**Information from A guide to the Parish Church of All Saints Evesham (Stan Brotherton)

There was a particular shop (Magpie) that Mr C wanted to visit in Evesham so on Saturday we took a trip there stopping for lunch at Ellenden Farm shop cafe. Local produce is used throughout the menu and I decided to have a hot cross bun which arrived warm and toasty.

When we arrived in Evesham Mr C was a man on a mission whilst I was in photography mode. Eventually I caught up with him at ‘Magpie’ where we (especially Mr C) spent some time perusing what was on offer.

Next, we visited Abbey Gardens where All Saint’s church, St Lawrence church and the Abbey Bell Tower are situated. St Lawrence church is only open in the morning but we were able to visit the delightful Parish church. After I left the church, I lingered to take some photos in the church precinct and then walked through the bell tower arch to explore the scant remains of the former Abbey.

Mr C had been heading in the opposite direction but caught up with me as I was about to return through the archway. At the same time a man stopped to talk to me, pointing out a Peregrine falcon on top of the tower. He called to her so she turned to face us for a photoshoot, although my photo doesn’t do her justice. She then gracefully flew off round the tower giving us a fine display of her wings.

My new found friend also shared the less welcome news that some of the male falcons were being shot at and killed by ‘perhaps’ catapults…

We didn’t have enough time left to visit the Almonry Museum, the building itself also being part of the original Abbey complex. However, we had just enough time to stop for afternoon tea in the Old School Café where dogs are welcome and children merely tolerated. The shared chocolate chip flapjack was delicious.

Evesham we will be back!

The Church has been at the heart of Ledbury life since Anglo-Saxon times but the bell tower was not built until the early 13th century.

This bell frame dates from the seventeenth century and allows for the hanging of three bells. It is constructed of oak, and several of the timbers have been re-used from an earlier frame. It cam from the church of St Mary, Stoughton, West Sussex.*

The spire over the bell frame was constructed in 2009, to illustrate best practice in fixing hand-cleft shingles. Both the framing and the shingling of the spire were partly carried out students learning these important crafts.*

*from the Weald & Downland Living Museum souvenir guide

After breakfast we walked to the bus station and caught a bus to Koper for the day. The journey along the coast was very beautiful. As we arrived at a bus station near Koper the bus driver stood up and announced that the stop was the nearest one to Koper centre. More than half of the people on the bus stood up and got off.

There was a large map next to the bus station so we were able to find our way into the town quite easily. Our route took us along a narrow shopping street and into Tito Square which is surrounded by spectacular architecture. The most spectacular building is the Praetorian palace; it houses the tourist information office and it is possible to take a guided tour of the building. Unfortunately on the day we visited there was a meeting which meant the rooms were occupied and it was not possible to take the tour.

The nearby Cathedral Church of St Mary’s Ascension was also closed, however Mr C was able to visit the bell tower. In his haste to climb the tower he forgot to check the time and arrived at the top just as the bell struck 12.00. He encountered two Americans looking rather shell shocked due to their being in the bell tower when the carillon bells started to chime.

When he descended from the tower we followed a walking route that took in Koper’s points of interest concluding our tour with a visit to The Monastery Church of St. Anna. Along the way, we noticed the bathing area next to the shipping port and thought the concept and reality were quite unpleasant. We retraced our steps to Tito square and the small shopping street where we had a refreshing drink to cool us down before returning to the bus stop to catch a bus back to Piran.

We walked through the narrow alleyways to the seafront and sat looking out over the bay until it was time to return to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. Over dinner our waiter engaged us in interesting conversation regarding the former communism and politics of the region and after this we sat outside in Tartini square enjoying a night cap.

Following our visit to Rennes-Le-Chateau and our winding way to and through the Gorges de Galamus we eventually ended up taking a late lunch in Estagel. I have memories of eating a delicious tuna salad sitting opposite this clock tower and watching the world go by.