The Church
The church of St Michael and All Angels dates back to the 13th century but of that building only the lower part of the tower remains, the rest being mainly as a result of the rebuild in the 1870's which was carried out in the decorated style by John Pritchard for the then 8th Duke of Beaufort
There are several items of note in and around this pleasant church. Firstly at the south-west corner of the tower is a large quoin stone, inscribed Orate Peo Godfride et Johanne which is probably a foundation stone. There are two fonts inside this church, one a Norman tub font which was recovered from the Rectory garden and the other a far more elaborate affair made of marble and designed by the aforementioned Pritchard. Under the east window of the south aisle is a stone slab that was unearthed under the south aisle and is an ancient stone altar decorated with five consecration crosses (these show where the bishop consecrated the church with holy water) and represent the five wounds of Christ.
On the outside of the organ chamber are five decorative corbels depicting an owl, a hawk, a daffodil, another flower and a nest of birds being fed by their mother. And there are other corbels too showing the cross of St. George and the Portcullis heraldic badge of the Beaufort Estate. There are also several very interesting stained-glass windows.
The Cache
Parking can be had in the car parking area next to the church and the cache is 35mm film canister. You will need to cross the road by the way.
If you would like to add to the Church Micro series yourself then please look here
http://churchmicro.co.uk/
There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page that can be found at
http://www.15ddv.me.uk/geo/cm/index.html