Now then - if we were looking at a ruin here it would sit very well with the preceding parts of this chapter, in that a previously useful door has become pointless by passage of time. This opening was in fact pointless from conception, being part of an eighteenth century folly designed to be a distraction on, or even a purpose for, an afternoon stroll around the park. Whilst remodelling the grounds at nearby Lilford Hall and undertaking a massive "summer residence" building project, it was deemed necessary to fell the parish church of St Peter in 1778. The chancel arch and part of the North arcade from the nave were rebuilt, a mile from home, in a somewhat precarious state to provide this romantic meeting place. The topling of churches is pretty much behind us now - indeed I have noticed a trend over the last few years for churches to be extended. New structures are being tacked on to our places of worship to accomodate the requirements of, perhaps increasingly incontinent, worshipers and clergy. In this incessent quest to smooth out the rough edges of our lives, denying us the excuse for al-fresco relief, are we not in danger of losing touch with our roots ? How long before the the whole village or town will need to be covered, mall style, protecting us from the vagaries of nature and allowing us to slouch from shop to pub to church and home again in air conditioned banality ? MORE FRESH AIR !
11 comments:
Oh God.
Sorry. It's just that I wished I'd thought of Pointless Portals as a title.
These three Pointless Portals - and the commentary - are just gob-smackingly wonderful! The Sculpture Park at Bretton Hall is beautifully laid out out and skilfully designed....but these three Portals seem to achieve all - if not more - of the effect almost by accident, without artifice. More Portals (and Dominic was parked in Veronica's driveway again last night!)
Is Camilla Jessop deliberately avoiding you? Or is she flying into a disused airfield as we speak?
We grew up with a ghost called Veronica. She was very friendly and is still in the house to this day, though we aren't. Any connection with her and this Dominic chappy?
Very much of its time, the name Veronica. I only ever knew one, and she looked just like Miss Piggie. Still beautiful in my eyes.
Yes Diplomat, odd that Camilla has avoided you thus far, isn't it? The game's up! The game's up!
Funny. I expected to see him in the High Street this morning, either buying yards of pig or rolling-up Old Holborn outside the ironmongers. But no.
A superb series of pictures. The Shobdon Arches in Herefordshire are bits of a medieval church used as an eyecatcher in a similar way.
I know what you mean about the danger of the place turning into a covered mall. I'm not sure I can tell indoors from out any more, what with outdoor showers and patio heaters.
......and indoor snow "domes" !
Patio heaters will soon join supermarket trolleys in oily rivers as the leit motif of urban decay.
Post a Comment