Thorney. THE ABBEY CHURCH GROUNDS OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN AND ST BOTOLPH.
When I set this wensite up in September 2006 the idea was that each church would have a page devoted to it. Occasionally I have altered that and included a page for interior and a page for exterior photographs. This is the case with Barnack and Castor. However, Thorney is the only church within the catchment area of this site that has a second page devoted solely to the church grounds.
In my opinion, which is worth exactly nothing, in the churches that I have visited, the only ground to come close to Thorney was at Cley Next The Sea in Norfolk. Fond memories of that place, and not purely due to the graves. Cley was the only church that I have ever photographed whilst drunk! I fell foul of some potent local cider whilst having a liquid lunch on one of the hottest days of the year!
No chance of being drunk at Thorney on a Saturday morning in late November. The bitter cold would have sobered anyone up very quickly. A biting cold wind screamed across the fens and for the first time ever, I photographed with mittens on!
Some fabulous craftsmenship here. One or two examples of deaths head stones. These are stones that feature the human skull as a symbol of Man's mortality. Surviving examples of this type of stone are quite rare in this area, but there are a few about.
The photograph at the top right of the page is particularly interesting. This is a gravestone that has been inset in to a modern wall to the North West of the church. The inscription is unreadable but I would think that the date might be late 17th Century. A small human skull is flanked by two figures holding upturned torches. According to my I Spy Book of Gravestone Symbolism an upturned torch symbolises immortality and eternity. A torch turned downwards indicates mortality.
A more traditional deaths head stone can be found underneath this, with human skull and hour glass either side of a cherub. Hourglasses are often found on gravestones. They symbolise the passing of time, and will sometimes have wings.
Some unusual carvings to be found here. I was particularly taken with three cherubs hanging off a cross, with the sun shining in the background. Some of the quality of the carvings is exquisite, works of art that will sadly weather and one day be lost. Some of the older stones have gradually sunk in to the ground over the years. This is why people such as myself photograph these. To capture the skill and craftsmanship of stonemasons long passed over whilst their work is still around to enjoy.
