Yes, anty, but where is it?

Have you been to Pennant Melangell?

The last Welsh church I saw was St Woolos Cathedral, Newport.  Rather sweet, I thought.

There's something rather special about the atmosphere of the Welsh Marches, about 15 miles either side of the Welsh border, although I haven't been there for years. 

Kitty, you would love the Marcher Country.  Castles, Churches, scenery and magic.  As Don B. says 'special!

Another of my all time faves, although I confess I have not been there for a couple of years is Dore Abbey at Abbey Dore in The Golden Valley (d'Or - geddit? - French).  Again on the borders, not too far from Hereford.

A Cistercian Abbey begun in  1190 founded by the Morimond community (the only one founded in Britain).  Dissolved in the Dissolution of course.  It's rescuers were the Scudamores in 1630s (again Owain Glyndwr resurfaces!)  Dore was famous for their sheep who were exported as far away as Italy and gained top prices for the fleeces btw!

Well worth a trip and a place of peace and serenity.  Wonderful carvings and after the Scudarmores restored it some wonderful Carolingian features.  It was to be shut as a Church in the early 90s but an action committee was formed and it is going from strength to strength.  The last photo is of the musicians gallery.

Wonderful! Is that your actual West Gallery? (which may have given rise to the expression "face the music"?)

Of course Don B, the tale of Prince Brychwel Ysgithrog of Pengwern Powys who in AD 604 whilst hunting in Pennant startled a hare and with his hounds gave chase is rather lovely isn't it?  Does that make it a favourite with women priests?  Fluffy bunnies hiding beneath hems?

Roy Strong?  Yes, he did a tv series didn't he and really liked Dore Abbey but did not think much of Hereford Cathedral?

Kitty, just imagine those old sackbutt and serpent players up there in the gallery!

That's a beautiful photo - I love the softness of the light.

Unfortunately I don't have a single photo of Lincoln Cathedral (aka "the local") with me - I must bring some in tomorrow. I've been in Lincoln for about 15 years and only recently has the scaffolding on the front come down revealing the West face in all its shiny new glory.  They're now starting work on another section.  I suppose it's a bit like painting the Forth bridge.

[I initially typed "scoffolding" by accident and I nearly left it ,thinking that it might cause someone amusement on the Glossary thread.  My dignity wouldn't let me, unfortunately.    scoffolding - ridiculing an inferior support structure.]

I should think they may well be the Scudamore arms.  There are still Scudamores living both sides of the border.  The family played a big part in Herefordshire history and then of course married into the Welsh gentry.

Not far from Abbey Dore is another lovely church, medieval this time and quite isolated in position.  It's St. Margarets.  The beautiful carved rood is very early 1500s.  A rather sweet Church which John Betjeman was evidently fond of.  The one I really wanted to post was St. Marys at Craswall but I cannot find any pictures. 

Quite agree with you Don B and I am so glad you have been to St. Margarets.  I'm sure people who did not know what was inside would just drive by as the exterior is so plain.

If you have been there you must have nipped across the border into Wales?  Did you see this little gem - Partrishow Church (dedicated to St. Issui).  The rood and loft is c.1500 carved from Irish Oak, the font has in inscription of 1055.  St. Issui was a hermit and an early Celtic saint. Below the church is a well, and St Issui probably built a cell here. This became a place of pilgrimage after he was murdered by a traveller he gave shelter to because evidently where he fell life giving water sprung up.