Billingshurst, St Mary

For the first time since December, I met my friend at the local garden centre coffee shop near to work for a good natter! While we were there there was a very heavy thundery downpour, so today's picture was taken after tea and shows the church where I live.

The tower is the oldest part which is 12th Century. It contains 8 bells and the spire is 15th Century and is an impressive structure when viewed from the inside, having been up there! The Nave and North & South Aisles are 15th Century and the South Chapel is partly 13th Century. In 1866 the church suffered a very harsh restoration which rebuilt the chancel and added a vestry on the North side. and renewed a lot of the windows in places. The Porch is of timber and is Elizabethan. Inside the Nave roof is a good example of a curved Wagon Roof and it has many carved Roof Bosses, mostly Heraldic in design. The roof is 16th Century but is thought to have been installed later under the auspices of the Garton Family,who had obtained it second hand and it had been intended for use in another, possibly secular (That's non-church) building! There is a nice Brass under a mat dated 1499 to a husband and wife who lived at Okehurst, one of the ancient Manors of the Parish.

On my walk round in a loop, I returned via the High Street. Billingshurst is well known for the number of food outlets there are. We have a very good Indian Restaurant (although it's years since I've been in it!) and the fabulous aromas from it can often be smelt in our back garden, particularly if the wind's in the North as today! Even though I'd had my tea already there was a truly wonderful appetitising aroma of fine food in the air!!