St George Arreton is the only church on the Isle of Wight dedicated to our patron saint. It was the original Minster Church of the Isle of Wight when the ancient parish of Arreton stretched between the north and south coasts of the Island.
This grade I listed building is an 11th century church and is one of the most historically important in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. There is remaining evidence of its pre-Norman origins. It is a fine example of a Norman Church built in the eleventh Century much developed thereafter.
Arreton was one of six churches given by William I to the Abbey of Lyre in Normandy. At that time it consisted of the main Nave, together with a short Chancel. In 1140 the Church was ceded to the Abbey at Quarr, and in 1160, the north Aisle was added, which entailed the construction of three Early English arches and columns.
The addition of a south Aisle in the 13th Century gave back symmetry to the Church, at the same time the Chancel was extended to the east with larger windows, and in 1299 the massive Tower was constructed, which effectively partly obscured the two Saxon west windows.
The 15th Century saw the introduction of further immense buttresses for the tower, which was increased in height, and the height of the side Aisle rooves were lifted in the 16th Century. Around this time following the dissolution of Quarr Abbey the Church was sold to Sir Thomas Fleming.
In 1992 the Countess of Mountbatten of Burma dedicated the Burma Star window, designed by Alan Younger, made by David Knowles, which commemorates the close association with St George and the Burma Star Association.
Despite its age, the church brought itself up to date in 2013 having had ecologically friendly Biomass-boiler-powered heating installed.
Arreton churchyard is the resting place of Elizabeth Wallbridge, the Dairyman’s Daughter of the book by Leigh Richmond. According to the account in the book, Miss Wallbridge's life until the age of 26 was ‘of the most worldly character. Never immoral, she was willful, proud, selfish and irreligious. Her life was, however, transformed by a sermon and she became very devout. With exceptional strength of mind, a retentive memory, the mastery of a few religious classics and enforced leisure because of illness, she devoted time and strength to the study of the Bible in which she became remarkably proficient. Miss Wallbridge, after a lingering sickness of a year and a half, died May 30, 1801, at the age of 31 years. Ironically, the best-known memorial today to the Dairyman's Daughter in her home parish of Arreton is a pub of the same name, just a few metres from her grave.
And now for the cache -
How many sides has the plinth recording WW II losses? A
The loss of how many members of the IW Rifles is commemorated here? B
How many losses are recorded here for World War II? C
Which Fusiliers regiment was Pte R. Dale a part of? D
The loss of how many members of the Tullidge family is recorded? E
How many letters in the words on the cross at the top of the memorial? F
What is the date on the SE corner of the church tower? 1GH2
And now for the cache -
The cache (a micro cylinder) can be found nearby at the following co-ordinates –
N 50 C(H-C).(C+E)HG
W 001 (F+D).B(D-C)A
There is ample, easy parking by the church, the pub or at Arreton Barns. It can be busy with visitors at times – so beware muggles!
As ever, please replace the cache container carefully back where you found it!
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