Weekend walk

Another cold but sunny day here - feels like Winter!! No snow yet though!

Went for a walk today with my mum to deliver a few christmas cards so took my camera out and couldnt resist snapping the local church - St Mary the Virgin church. It is one of the oldest churches in the area wth a very rich history.

. In 893 AD on the lands around Benfleet creek, Viking warriors from 200 ships made the area their settlement.

An English army led by Edward the son of King Alfred, came to Benfleet to do battle with the invaders, and drove them back into the sea.

During the battle it is believed that the chapel which existed then, was destroyed, and tradition has it that the foundation stones of the existing St Mary’s church were laid in 894 AD.

They are currently having to raise an awful lot of money for essential renovations so hopefully the work can be carried out to carry on the church tradition for another 1,000 years!