The grandeur of Greenwich

October 14, 2024

Every so often my Dad and I enjoy a day out together in London, and we always find an interesting exhibition or a place to visit. Last month we decided to head east to Greenwich, to explore the historic buildings around the Old Royal Naval College.

We started off in the chapel, which is an absolute riot of colour and decoration. I could really have done with a wider angle lens to fully capture its grandeur, but that didn’t stop me finding some interesting scenes around the building.

From there we moved on to the Painted Hall, whose name perfectly describes what awaits visitors - every inch of the building is decorated with ornate friezes and even the panelling around the windows is painted to give the impression of ornately carved frames.

In the neighbouring Nelson Room, this beautiful pool of light caught my eye, catching the bench in a golden sunspot.

Photos taken 17 September 2024

Return to St John's

September 10, 2024

St John’s Chapel is one of those places I tend to visit when I’m performing there, rather than simply as a visitor. Since I last played here, almost exactly a year ago, the chapel’s organ has finally been restored and returned to pride of place in the upstairs gallery. This milestone has been in the planning for decades, so with a free day to go into Chichester I just had to go and take a look. Sadly the door to the stairs was locked so I couldn’t take a closer look at the organ, but it certainly looks at home from ground level.

The chapel’s magnificent triple decker pulpit, which allowed the preacher to be seen by everyone, whether they sat in the gallery or on the ground floor.

Such elegant, curved handrails…

Every part of St John’s has such beautiful play of light.

The ornate, gilt ceiling rose.

Each pew has a number, carefully painted onto the end. Click on any image to see it enlarged.

I couldn’t resist this small puddle of light on a pew end.

Photos taken 9 September 2024

Second time lucky

April 16, 2024

In early February I visited a muddy field in Devon in the hope of visiting a quiet redundant church. The welcome from the resident sheep was warm enough, but the door of the chapel remained steadfastly closed, despite my best efforts to persuade it open. Two months later I found myself in the area again so I decided to have another try.

I quietly let myself in through the gate and carefully picked my way across the muddy field. The sheep had gone, replaced by a solitary but equally friendly pony. I suspect visitors are infrequent, especially in the winter, so I stroked his nose to say thank you for the welcome.

My destination was Ayshford Chapel, a 15th century building built as a private chapel for the Ayshford family who lived next door at Ayshford Court, but today it’s cared for by the Friends of the Friendless Churches.

To my delight, despite this winter’s incessant rain, the door responded to my weight this time, opening to allow me a glimpse of the beautiful, salmon pink interior - a reward for my persistence. For a small chapel in such an isolated spot the depth of colour was wonderful - a lovely contrast to the greyness of the skies outside.

To my joy the sun also came out periodically, bathing parts of the chapel with a golden glow - exactly the sort of light I love seeing in churches, albeit infrequently this winter.

On the altar I found the Ayshford family bible, stored in a beautiful wooden casket. To avoid the attentions of mice and the droppings of bats it was protected with a transparent plastic box but I lifted this off for a few minutes to take my photos. before covering it up again.

Even when the sun went in the light was beautiful; the gently coloured coloured glass allowing soft pools of light to catch the simple oak pews.

A few smaller scenes from around the chapel. It was only when I checked my photos later that I realised a small snail was resting up beneath the door hinge!

Click on any of my images to see them enlarged.

The small organ was covered with a cloth, but I sneaked a look beneath. I don’t know how often it gets played but the bellows still work and I spent a few minutes pedalling away to play a little Bach.

The chapel’s one big memorial, to two members of the Ayshford family who died in the late 1680s.

Just before I departed the sun appeared again and I think these are probably my favourite photos from my morning at Ayshford Chapel. Thank goodness I gave it another try - my persistence was definitely rewarded!

Photos taken 5 April 2024

A wondrous respite from the rain

March 25, 2023

For my birthday a couple of weeks ago I treated myself to a day in Cambridge, although sadly the weather didn’t take any notice of my request for good weather. Instead it poured with rain - hardly conducive to spending time looking for interesting characters on the streets.

Rather than getting drenched I bought a ticket to visit Kings College Chapel where I at least knew would keep warm and dry. During a previous visit I discovered the Chapel has underfloor heating - a real boon if getting the magic photo requires you to lie on the ground!

The vaulting at Kings is exquisite so my eyes were perpetually being drawn upwards.

A stolen view through to the choir.

Two small scenes from the choir

Arches within arches in one of the side chapels

A final glance back at the trumpeters on the organ and that wonderful ceiling.

Photos taken 9 March 2023

Reaching for the heavens

November 22, 2022

A recent concert took me to Lancing College and a bonus photo opportunity. I arrived early for our rehearsal so I stole a few minutes inside the college chapel, where the low sun was casting some beautiful pools of light.

Click on any of the images to see them enlarged.

I can never resist this sort of light in churches - selectively illuminating the architecture.

Photos taken 3 November 2022

A tale of two halves

November 20, 2022

When I visited York in May I had plans to spend the day inside the Minster, exploring with my camera. Sadly that wasn’t to be as it was closed to visitors on the one day I had in the city. Instead I strolled the streets with my eyes open to whatever came my way.

I may not have been able to go inside the Minster but that didn’t stop me photographing the exterior!

Buskers near the Shambles - this young boy was having great fun dancing to the music!

Down by the River Ouse

My bed for the night was at the Bar Convent, just outside the city walls. An unlikely place to stay, but the accommodation and breakfast were both excellent. Even better, I stole a few minutes to look around the Convent’s chapel after I’d finished exploring the rest of York.

The chapel is hidden in the centre of the convent, with its dome not visible from the road. It’s a perfectly formed Georgian chapel and in the few minutes I was there I found no end of interesting photographic inspiration.