Why does every blog need to start with an apology? There are not enough hours in the day. I spent Friday 6 January 2012 photographing trains on the London Overground, and returned home for our Epiphany Service (with a superb choir of 24 – I bet St Mary’s Ponteland was one of the few Northumberland churches that managed Choral Communion for Three Wise Men on the right day). On Saturday 7th the sun was shining. We drove to Rothbury, and stopped to photo a couple of churches en route – should have photoed Meldon station on the Wannie Line (closed for passengers 60 years ago) – a far cry from the Overground.
St John’s Meldon – NZ119838 – stands on the road in the middle of the hamlet. It dates from the 13th century, and was restored by Dobson in 1849. The Chancel roof and the Minton tiles in the Sanctuary are 19th century – rather lovely.
There is some Evetts glass in the East Window, but it doesn’t do much for me.
There are a wide variety of memorials in the church. A Victorian wall plaque to the Streatfeild (sic) family includes Herbert Philip, who died on his passage home from India, and was buried in the Red Sea 28th March 1863, aged 21 years. Rather older is this 1652 effigy of Sir William Fenwick, now used as a chair store. There are two nice wall plaques. In the porch is an notice pinned to the board.
This looks like a January day. Clear, low light, and a bit cold.