You are looking for a 35mm film pot.
In the dim and distant past, a band I was in used to rehearse at
the little hall next to this church. In fact, we rehearsed IN the
church a couple of times! Many happy memories of this
building.
This can be done as a cache and dash, but there's also a church
micro bonus cache to grab if you have time.
Co-ords on the back of the log book.
The church of St. Mary the Virgin, Little Bentley is a Norman
church, standing close to the road, with a 16th century tower.
There are Roman brick quoins incorporated into the Chancel, which
also has a beautifully painted Victorian barrel ceiling, and a
Norman Nave and Chancel, whilst the interior boasts a delightful
hammerbeam roof.
There are three tall lancet windows at the east end of the Chancel
and windows on the north and south walls, which are of 13th Century
origin. A 15th century window on the south side and the third
window, set low, are from the 16th Century. There is an archway
into the North Chapel which is from the 13th Century. In addition
there is a hagioscope or squint cut into the east respond.
There are seven hammer beam trusses in the Nave which are mostly
constructed from elm, which have been carved with angels holding
shields. Huge 15th Century pillars divide the Nave from the North
Aisle and in the south wall is a stairway cut in the 16th century
which led up to a Rood Loft. Rood Loft use for Religious festivals
was forbidden in the reign of Elizabeth I and the beam was
removed.
The top of the stairway was later blocked with 17th century bricks.
The south window is also 16th century and made brick.
The stone south doorway is likewise of the same date. The North
Chapel, formerly the Lady Chapel, which is used now as a Vestry,
has a late 15th century East window and two early 15th century
windows in the north wall. The North East corner of the Chancel is
a lovely Niche with ogee head, crocketed and finialed, and it has a
moulded shelf at the bottom.
The 15th century western archway has viners resting on a moulded
corbels carved with leopards' faces and Leopards appear in the
Pyrton Arms carved on the Font.
The North Aisle has three windows in the north wall; the two
eastern windows are similar to the South East window of the
Chancel. The west window and doorway are circa 1520, the doorway
being clearly seen on the outside of the Church although now
bricked up. There is also a moulded plinth running along this
outside wall with trefoil headed panels, the only break
occurring
at the point where the Priest’s house was removed and the
wall made good. The window in the west wall is again similar to the
Chancel's.
The three-stage West Tower was built in the mid-15th century and it
has an embattled parapet and carved gargoyles. The only graffiti in
the Church are just inside the West Door but it is indecipherable
except for the initials I.S. and the date 1608.
There is a blocked opening in the north wall of the tower,
suggesting the existence of a former Ringing Gallery.
The church tower has five bells. The second, third and fourth were
made by Robert Mott in 1599. The fifth bell was made by Miles Graye
of Colchester in 1625, the year in which he also made one of the
finest bells in Suffolk which hangs in Lavenham Church and is the
famous tenor bell said to be the sweetest bell in England.
The South Porch is made of brick and is circa l520. There are
mullioned windows on each side which are now blocked and there is a
Stoup in the east wall (recess with broken bowl) but the date of
this is not known.
The iron-bound and nail studded parish Chest, which stands in the
Nave, is 14th/15th century and has a cambered lid. There are three
locks, two bolts and a ring handle at each end.
With thanks to www.littlebentley.net
The cache is not hidden on the church grounds, but just outside.
Small prize for the FTF.
Church Micro Series
If any body would like to add to this series, please do, but
could you please let
sadexploration know first, so he can keep track of the Church
numbers and names to avoid duplication.