This lectern knows how to sort the wheat from the chaff. More #GiantCandles and #TinyLions were to be found close by, in the chapel of Jesus College, Cambridge. I like the way that they are looking back over their shoulders to admire the candle! I expect they have quite bad neck ache by now. 🧡

Superb lectern-podium combination in the chapel of Jesus College, Cambridge. @notpodium.bsky.social No-fuss podium; the lectern was designed by the illustrious Augustus Pugin: "Let then the Beautiful and the True be our watchword." The True Principles of Christian or Pointed Architecture, 1841.

@thehistorymouse.bsky.social The pupil mice have their work cut out. A fresh recruit, eager to learn, joined their ranks at Worcester cathedral. Pedagogue mouse is now sizing up the new books they have to read; 2 Shire books from Worcester & the Pre-Raphaelite cat book a present from son Chris.

#TraceryTuesday I am fond of this memorial window in Medmenham church, Bucks. It is poignant & beautiful. The window is by A J Dix, & shows an Angel & Jesus on the left; while on the right, is Lt Col Arthur Murray Pirie DSO as a crusader. Please see below for his details. @iangrebe.bsky.social

#MonumentsMonday A J Davies' stained glass, complete with tiny ship for @horatioforever.bsky.social I had to try hard not to think that Sir Francis Drake's stockings were falling down though! Maybe it was his power stance that caused his hosiery to malfunction? Worcester cathedral cloister.

Stroud cowslip, by the canal.

I lack the competence to take good photos of A J Davies's stained glass in the Cloister at Worcester cathedral - but focussing on the ships in the historical scenes gave me a sense of satisfaction! @horatioforever.bsky.social A J Davies created 5 windows from 1933-50. #StainedGlassSunday

In the tracery of Douglas Strachan's 1944 window in All Saints, Jesus Lane, Cambridge, exceptional loveliness; with his portraits of Faith, Hope, & Charity. I was able to visit the church as part of a walking tour put on by the David Parr House. @stroudstory.bsky.social @horatioforever.bsky.social

The Douglas Strachan window was the highlight of All Saints, Jesus Lane, Cambridge, for me. The loyal canine attending his sick human was a very touching detail. The 1944 window was a memorial for Kate Louisa Murrish. @chartresfi.bsky.social @churchartnature.bsky.social @historymalc.bsky.social

By the Thames and Severn Canal, at Stroud, there was definitely Spring magic in the air.

For #FerrousFriday, my favourite Gurney stove - it was the first I ever saw, and the impulse to embrace it in the Cloister of Worcester cathedral was powerful! There is a Gurney stove in Antarctica in Scott's hut; a good example of how churches lead to unforeseen connections. nzaht.org/gurneystove/

@drtonygillie.bsky.social A remarkable day walking by the River Frome in Stroud. The information board promised the possibility of a Dipper & when we came to an ideal place for Dippers, there s/he was! I've never seen one before & excellent scientific name too; Cinclus cinclus. Plump & handsome!

Close by Worcester cathedral, fictive Spring and real Spring came together in these charming window decorations. Naturally, thoughts turned to @thehistorymouse.bsky.social (left) and flower-bearing bunnies (right)!

Spring visit to Birmingham. In the warming sunshine of St Paul's Square, on the East side I noticed a door case with an unintended living fern decoration (left). While in the central churchyard of St Paul's, I stopped to take in this handsome gravestone.

#FerrousFriday in Cambridge, with a batty friend. I've seen a matching vintage door knocker in Ewelme, and it's a very endearing design.

#AdoorableDoors need fine door knockers, and I am so here for those. A sentimental journey through Cambridge yielded many charming examples. Glossy chocolate hearts from Betty's - a much appreciated present from a friend. Then elaborate kitty, heartfelt door knocker, and terrific bat in charge!

#WallsOnWednesday The stone carving at the East end of St Peter's, Daylesford, quite took me aback once I had focused on these fearsome critters! A tour de force, for a Victorian rural parish church, by J L Pearson; these dragon-like beasts bid me a brisk farewell. @beverleystanford.bsky.social

Adam and Eve kneeling before the hand of God, with a bowing donkey/mule? The serpent is also present. I like the celestial detail at the top. #TraceryTuesday in St Peter's, Daylesford. Clayton & Bell is the firm responsible. Advice on the scene presented v welcome! @simoninsuffolk.bsky.social

#TraceryTuesday Eve seems to be whisked from Adam quite briskly here, her tresses flying behind her, in this fine Victorian stained glass from St Peter's, Daylesford, Gloucestershire. @simoninsuffolk.bsky.social @beverleystanford.bsky.social

Here in Daylesford church, Adam is warming to his task! Is that a porcupine or a hedgehog, left? I like the lion on the right. @chartresfi.bsky.social @beverleystanford.bsky.social

Series of Adam & Eve images by Clayton & Bell, in St Peter's, Daylesford. Pevsner is enthusiastic about the v high quality of this stained glass; "And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, & to every beast of the field;" @stroudstory.bsky.social @simoninsuffolk.bsky.social

#Tiles&TextilesOnTuesday One would expect something pretty sumptuous in St Peter's, Daylesford...which is precisely what we found in the sanctuary. The walls are covered in inlaid alabaster, creating an immersive experience!

Cracking narrative stained glass, from St Peter's, Daylesford. I assume Daniel is in the lion's den, centre, with poor Jonah desperately trying to escape a fearsomely toothy whale beneath. #StainedGlassSunday A lively & engaging approach to relaying Bible stories @beverleystanford.bsky.social.

#SundaySermons Fine Victorian pulpit in St Peter's, Daylesford. Ornate circular stone pulpit with biblical scenes & foliate & incised decoration in the NE corner of nave. Right, the view to the nave from the pulpit, showing off its attractive stone carved detail. @beverleystanford.bsky.social

Easter in Cambridge, walking between All Saints, Jesus College Chapel, and the David Parr House (who organised the tour, which was absolutely excellent).

St Christopher at Ditcheat, Soms, carrying Jesus Christ across the river. We see the hermit who had suggested that he help people across the river, a church, perhaps an early iteration of this location(?) a windmill from which eels stream. Also a woman praying, and at the top an angel.

#StaircaseSaturday Daylesford St Peter's bold church tower & spire had a circular staircase so magical that it almost demanded a Rapunzel to lean out from the top. Delightful 'fish scale' decoration to the conical roof, over carved arcading. By J L Pearson, 1860. @beverleystanford.bsky.social

#FontsOnFriday Parish churches like Medmenham's St Peter & St Paul offer "silence & slow time" inside, & the harmonious singing of birds in the churchyard. [I try to disregard the impudent squawking of the Ring-necked Parakeets (Psittacula krameri)!] Handsome C19th font & cover.

#FontsOnFriday at St Peter's, Daylesford, built by J L Pearson in 1860 for Harman Grisewood. C19th ten-sided stone font with rather elegant marble colonnettes around base; wooden lid with foliate wrought iron decoration. A thoroughly enjoyable Victorian country church, kindly unlocked for us.

Inside the church and out, at Hambleden, north of Henley on Thames. #AdoorableThursday, right. Tulip laden Norman font in St Mary's, left, decorated with big foliate cross motifs.

#AdoorableThursday with radiant tulips.

I fear that the noble eagle in Daylesford church bears their burden at considerable cost to him/herself (see photo on the right). POV lectern, left @notpodium.bsky.social St Peter's was built in 1860 by J L Pearson for Harman Grisewood; listed Grade I. @beverleystanford.bsky.social

#AprilFoolsDay Lessons from the manuscripts. Never let your kitties fool you into thinking that they need to be conveyed when they have four perfectly good paws each.

#TextileTuesday In the church at Adelstrop, a banner rested quietly. Outside a distinctly fancy overthrow sheltered under a canopy of lavish pink blossom. Wrought iron overthrow with scroll decoration, dates 1837 & 1897 flanking a lantern with crown. Commemorates Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

Gentle primroses were punctuated by yellow petals held loft, shining brightly in Kingham churchyard. I think this might be the Meadow buttercup, scientific name: Ranunculus acris @stroudstory.bsky.social - its sunny disposition quite made up for the church being locked, on account of roof repairs.

I try not to get too envious when I visit the Cotswolds, but it did seem that the churchyards had "stolen" some of Berkshire's rightful allocation of wild flowers. There were cascades of violets & even the church wheelie bins had views over brimming pools of primroses. @carolineirwin3.bsky.social

I leapt from the margins, onto the page! I've had a very modest piece published, about church crawling. digital.kenyon.edu/perejournal/... I've had a few barren years since my last effort in 2019 (a scientific/medical textbook) so it meant a lot to me to write again. @thehistorymouse.bsky.social

Beautiful tapestry in Exeter College chapel, Oxford; the feet, fabrics & flowers fascinated me. Edward Burne-Jones drew the figures; Morris added detail & colour. The Morris & Co factory wove the tapestry, which was presented to the College in 1890 as a gift from the artists. A fitting memorial!

Handsome stained glass in Bath Abbey. Memorial Window to Herbert Brice Mundy (1869-1943), with charming ship detail, left. By James Powell & Sons, Whitefriars, 1952. Image of whole window by Budby on flickr. I've never been disappointed by a Powell & Sons window! @horatioforever.bsky.social

Two lambs and Red Pike for @cathylowe.bsky.social (needs a click)

John Hayward's Sherborne sheep are on the sagacious side. There's wisdom but also benevolence in this ewe, right. I like the way that the sheep's fleecy bodies flow from one light to the next, unifying the different elements of the window. @churchartnature.bsky.social #StainedGlassSunday

#Caturday A memorable feline welcome for me and my car, by the church at East Hagbourne.

#OvinesInChurches I was planning to take a break from lambs, but I couldn't help myself. Left, detail from St Mary's, Henley-on-Thames. Lamb having a stained glass cuddle. Right, ewe in a state of outdoors contentment.

Details from the window in All Saints, Marlow. I find it difficult to see the weapons of war, but the text explains: "they shall beat their swords into plowshares, & their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Isaiah).

She is clearly feeding this one! That is the “loving“ look of a tamey, adoring their dinner lady 😉😂 ((I know, I have one this year!!) Beautiful lamb

I have a soft spot for all brass eagles, despite the hostility of @thehistorymouse.bsky.social but this is a prince (or princess?) among lecterns. St Mary's, Bathwick. I particularly warm to the tail and wing feathers, which curl with a real flourish. @notpodium.bsky.social

Details from the stained glass by Ervin Bossányi, in St John's College chapel, Oxford. @churchartnature.bsky.social A shimmering dove, left; and while I prefer other artists' portrayals of sheep (right), experts say his work speaks of harmony, serenity, and human dignity.

#LesArmoiriesDuVendredi Stupendous orchids underpin heraldic detail, that as usual, is opaque to me. In the chapel of St John's College, Oxford. Any enlightenment very welcome. @kugehouse.bsky.social Detail from Moira Forsyth's adjacent stained glass, right.

A lamb so gently modest of gaze, fleecy knees butting up against a snippet of Karl Parson's rainbow.

In St John's chapel, Oxford, a lectern/podium combination to be much cherished. A delightful Rococo eagle, holding in its beak a twining flower garland. 1773, by Leonard Snetzler. The black and white paving is handsomely done, in the setting of Blore's neo-Perp chapel. @notpodium.bsky.social