Little Stainburn church.

St Mary’s Church Stainburn and a half way stop for lunch on our walk from Leathley village hall.
It is an enchanting very old Norman church.
Parts of the original building such as the font and the chancel arch still remain. The roof is medieval and the robust pews are from about 1600.
Restoration has been minimal leaving this as an enchanting place of great antiquity.
No heating or electric light. Just two oil lamps hanging from the ceiling.
It became redundant in 1975. Is a Grade 1 listed building now under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.
It is open to visitors every day, and last Christmas they held a candle light carol service. What a wonderful experience that must have been.

Today the graveyard was full of bluebells and delicate white greater stitchwort. So beautiful.
Although the church is no longer in use I noticed the last gave was dated November 2023. So it is still being used for burials.

It was a beautiful day for walking, although it did get very windy the higher up we got.
Again we had some very difficult stiles. Fortunately the beck in Riffa Woods, ( see extra) where the bluebells were, was quite low and we didn’t have much difficulty with the steppingstones. ( see extra)
I think my favourite part of the walk was as we walked back along the Washburn river. ( see extra) the bank’s full of wild garlic, wood anemones and bluebells. Hoping to see a dipper but no luck.

Another day when we really appreciated the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.
Plenty of little lambs everywhere and also walked through a field of very docile long horn cows.
Just short of 7 miles. Felt longer because of all the stiles!

Oh and remembered to vote on the way home.