One Street #2

...a cool, wet and windy day persuaded me that it was a good opportunity to journal the second image in my One Street series.

In my debut entry, I mentioned that some of the subjects that I would be featuring were present in that section of Langton Matravers' Hight Street, but hidden from view. The first of those and, perhaps the most obvious place to start, is the parish church of St. George, which is set back from the road just beyond the wall on the left in my first image.

The building we see today is at least the third, and possibly the fourth, to exist on this site. The west tower was built c.1320 and there is evidence in the east wall of churches dating back to c.1290 and 1829. It goes without saying that the stone used in its construction is from local quarries. In the possession of the church is a complete list of rectors from 1322. The belfry contains three bells, two are medieval, while the largest one is the original Langton tenor of c.1420, which was cast by John Gosselin of Bristol.

Somewhere nearby, Wilcheswood Priory was founded in 1373 by Roger de Walleys, lord of the manor of Langton Wallis, and dedicated to St. Leonard. It is thought that one of the former buildings on the site of the present parish church, was the chapel that is documented as belonging to the priory and dedicated to St. George. Although the priory is long gone, the name lives on in the form of Wilkswood Farm. The farm is now owned by the National Trust and has been tenanted by farmer Paul Loudoun for over 25 years. Their livestock grazes some of the 600 acres of conservation and environmentally protected land that extends down to the South West Coast Path. Their products are all organically reared, free range and delicious - the farm shop is where we buy all our meat.

This won't be the last time I mention the church in my One Street series...