The small, village of Mepal lies beside the One Hundred Foot Washes, east of where the A142 crosses the Old and New Bedford Rivers. Created in the 17thc by the Dutch engineer Vermuyden, these rivers are the heart of the drainage of the rich black soil land of the Fens. The land between the rivers is deliberately flooded at times of excess water, (usually between November and March), so protecting the valuable farmland, much of which lies below sea level.
The parish church of St Mary, dates from the 13th century and has been largely unaltered since, though extensive and sensitive restoration was carried out at the end of the 19thc and beginning of the 20thc.. It is notable as the only church in the Isle of Ely without either tower or spire. It does however, boast a pretty little bell-cote on the west wall.
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If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
To view the church micro stats & information page, please click here
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