Use It. Or Lose It.

Today we walked around the historic  settlement of Halford, near Craven Arms. Been before. Blipped before. But today there was an air of sadness.

It has an exquisite little church. Stunning in its simplicity and peaceful in its location, overlooking the River Onny, and Halford Weir.

St Thomas' Episcopal Church (Grade ll listed) has been standing on this site since the 12th century. It was restored in the 19th century and served the wider community of Craven Arms. Now a separate parish it is due to close because of falling congregation numbers. At the last service I am informed there were just two worshippers. A church costs huge amounts to maintain and is not viable with such minimal numbers.

No doubt it will be sold and turned into a private house, or a pottery. Or a centre for alternative medicines, or something.

The two images show the view of the interior from front and back. It is a very special little church with a magnificent vaulted timber roof. 

In other news I went into the kitchen this evening but my wife said she prefers to cook in peace and quiet. So I took the batteries out of the smoke alarm and left her to it.

And last night 25% of our roof got blown off in a storm.

Oof!