Lights in the dark

Although I knew the weather would be at its best this morning, I couldn't be bothered to get up to and go for a walk. Staying in bed and in the warmth was the only option after our series of recent late nights. We even went back to sleep after a cup of tea in bed and when we woke again the rain had returned and the sky was grey.

Eventually I decided to go to buy a few essential and Helena surprised me by saying she wanted to come along. So we headed off to a supermarket on the far side of Stroud and managed to buy what was needed with little hassle. I suggested we drive up the hillside and along the old road through Selsley to visit All Saints Church, which has been on my list of places to discover for some years.

The village has grown beside the road which travels along the scarp slope of the Cotswold escarpment where the five rivers that meet at Stroud have uniquely cut through the limestone hills. They flow out westwards across the Severn Vale to eventually join the River Severn about five miles west of Stroud. The road and settlements are sited on the springline half way up the steep scarp slope and below Selsley Common which was the site of an Iron age settlement, opposite to the similar Rodborough Common.

The church has a very distinctive and tall saddleback tower, which can be seen for miles around. Apparently it was built in the 19th century under the patronage of Sir Samuel Stephens Marling, and is thought of as one of the last of the great Cotswold wool churches. But particularly important are the stained glass windows on the west side of the tower, which are the work of William Morris and his company Morris & Co.. The whole building is a product of exponents of the arts and craft movement Burne-Jones, Rossetti and Ford Madox Brown were all involved in the designs.

As we arrived there was a huge dark rain cloud on the far side of the River Severn, which we could see in the distance, and it was obviously coming our way. So in rather a rush we went through the churchyard and into the dark church and I was pleased to find that the windows could be seen despite there being no sunlight shining on them. I grabbed a few reference pictures of the window, not thinking they would be very distinct, so I am pleasantly surprised by the result.

We both agreed that we should come back to this area, which is only a couple of miles from home, and explore in more inclement conditions. I will try to get better pictures with a tripod in due course, as I like to see stained glass. There were several intriguing footpaths and dark lanes, as well as old farm ruins, clothier's houses, cottages and barns, as well as modern garish homes built to enjoy the panoramic views across the valleys.

Read more about All Saints Church, Selsley here. There is a picture of the church which shows its setting well.