………….Four more from my Odd Box

Hailes Abbey, Gloucestershire

Dipping into my Odd Box I came across these images from many years back and long forgotten.

Tucked away in a quiet valley near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire are the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of Hailes.

Dating back to 1246 these extensive ruins are very much on the Tourist Trail of lovers of our historical past.
But Hailes Abbey and its numerous buildings are not the only religious and historical building in this valley.

There is also Hailes Parish Church.

Visitors to the Abbey must pass by this church…. yet many do not spot this littler gem and even fewer step inside.
In fact the little Parish Church with its stumpy bell tower is much older than the Abbey. Early Parish Records date back to 1175 but I believe that there are earlier religious references that were never confirmed.

So if you pass this way, go see the Abbey…. but make a point of visiting this little Church with its stone flagged floor, wooded Pews and fragile Wall Paintings….a real church of character.

( “THE ODD BOX”. The Odd Box , is especially for Odds and Ends, it is the file where I drop those images, that I have not processed earlier in the year as part of a series or project or simply lacked time at that moment, where they can be safely stored. I can then go back to them at leisure, explore and see what surprises await)

27th January
(C) David Oakes 2015