Can't take the Church out of Whitchurch

This beautiful example of a Lychgate is the entrance to the church in Whitchurch village and is one of the most beautiful areas in Cardiff. Given how close it is to the city centre it has managed to retain a character of its own and part of this is, I think, down to the large number of cafes and bars which tend to be busy both during the day and in the evening. It is with a great deal of envy, many days, that I watch people lounging in the sun having lunch or dinner as I drive to or from work.

Lychgates are a staple in quaint old churches particularly in England. They were traditionally considered the entrance to the church and at funerals the clergy would meet the coffin at the gate to perform part of the ceremony under its shelter before proceeding inside the church. Interestingly, (for me at least) lych is the old Saxon word for corpse and the Screech owl, whose cry was considered a portent of death is therefore also known as a Lych owl.