Pointless Portals - Part Three

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 !