St Matthew's Church

Having been done out of a chance to blip inside Headbourne Worthy church the other day - and wanting something very calm and peaceful to tackle after yesterdays' shenanigans - this morning I went to the tiny church of St Matthew at Weeke.  Once a rural hamlet, Weeke is now a suburb on the edge of Winchester, still with its village pond and its church. Built in the twelfth century, probably on the site of a Saxon chapel, St Matthew's was known as the 'shepherds' church'.  

Do you think the shepherds helped build it?  It's definitely constructed in the same manner as rural barns were.  This shot looks east towards the altar, the extra looks west back down the aisle towards the font and the lovely little minstrels' gallery.

One of my favourite things about these small rural churches is the way the light falls across the interiors.  The other is just the fact they're still with us - perfect medieval gems that continue to be treasured after maybe a thousand years in the heart of their often small communities.  So this morning felt wonderfully peaceful.

Let's face it too, I haven't achieved much else today and don't intend to start trying now.  Maybe an online grocery shop, but that's it.  Oh, except a friend told me that this morning, when I was still in recovery mode, the sparrowhawks (who managed to make their nest pretty invisible this year) have been seen circling around in the reserve with their three chicks.  That's something I shall have to try and catch up with, maybe tomorrow.

Have a great Saturday evening whatever you're doing  xx