HELPSTON. CHURCH : ST BOTOLPH
I made two trips to the church of St Botolph at Helpston. The first was on a bright sunny Winter Saturday. Not a cloud in the sky but two days later the whole area was to be covered in snow! A return trip was made at the end of August 2008. A warm afternoon with the sun actually shining after the wettest August on record.
Helpston is a glorious village. with the church of St Botolph occupying a prominant position in the centre of the village. There has been a church here since Saxon times, with Saxon foundations being exposed whilst building work was underway in the 1860's. Helpston's church is a distinctive one with its curiously shaped tower. The tower is in four stages with a spire on top. The upper stages of the tower are octagonal in shape with gargoyles, sadly some pretty weathered, surrounding the bottom of the spire. The whole of the tower was renovated in 1865.
The churchyard is well maintained and contains a few interesting curios in amongst all of the typical cherubs and angels. First of all, I have to say that the churchyard was closed for further burials on January 1st 1882, with subsequent burials taking place in the very large cemetary just down the road. A couple of very unusual pieces of gravestone symbolism sent me scurrying for my text book. On one grave is what appears to be grapes. According to my internet research this is a symbol of the blood of Christ. Elsehere, ripened corn is said to symbolise a long life.
The other notable feature of the church grounds is the grave of poet John Clare. The "Northamptonshire Peasant Poet" as he was known was born in Helpston in 1793. He died in Northampton in 1864 and is buried in the churchyard at St Botolph.
Inside, there is a very large and modern stained glass window in the Chancel. This is Christ In Majesty by Francis Skeat. This was commissioned in memory of a parishoner and was dedicated as recently as 1983. A carved oak reredos in the chancel commemorates those from the village who fell in the First World War. On either side of the alter the Greek letters Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end) are set in black and white marble, dating from late Victorian times.
More modern is a wall memorial to one Albert Snowball who was organist at this church for nearly 70 years.
This is a lovely church, and a very nice village to visit. Keep a look out for John Clare's white thatched cottage a little way down from the church. I have some lovely memories of some sunny Summer afternoons spent here with my parents in the 1970's. Always had a soft spot for Helpston and always will.
Anyway, a pleasant half an hour spent here, then back on the cycle and a quick two mile dash to Maxey.
