Sally

Oh OK then.

Silly Sod

True. But If I didn't say so the missus would be super pissed

Elvira

And who can blame her!

Silly Sod

Well, I am not talking about 11th century churches in Cornwall or The Cotswalds here, I am talking about 16th century churches in deepest darkest inner city Manchester. Not many tourists stop where I grew up, though a close friend of Lady Di did ask directions a few years ago and had her handbag stolen from her Discovery. Oh, how we did larf

Mallory

Yes, I know what you are saying. I feel that a church should be sacrosanct, and that children should be brought up to know this. Something is going very wrong these days.

I grew up away from the big cities, and when I go back I spend most of my time in Glos and Cornwall, the areas of the country that you mentioned. I have never been to Manchester.

Here is where my parents are buried (church has been sold).

http://www.boba-beachley.org.uk/echo...10-may2004.pdf

Here is the local C/E church, school, and church cottage where I lived in my childhood. It is 1/4 mile from my childhood home. Yes, JKR went to my school. Spooky! She lived in that cottage, and one of the boys in my class lived there before she did.

http://home.freeuk.net/webbuk2/harrypotter.htm

Silly Sod

It's very pretty. I went to a nice one years ago in cornwall - not to worship, I am not much of a believer I'm afraid. I can;t remember where it was but it was maybe 11th century and right on a cliff edge - erosion may have seen it off by now for all I know. Anyway, it was called St Jennys and I have never forgotten it. I was amazed because it was open and there was nobody at all there, not even a vicar or anything and there was money lying around. I mean, you could take a souvineer and just leave the money on a plate. I didn't steal the money of course but when I got home, if anybody asked, I always swore I did ha ha. Erm....it was that kind of neighbourhood

Mallory

That's a nice story. I love Cornwall.

My grandparents are buried in that graveyard too, and I used to go there as a child to put flowers on the grave with my mum. It was usually knee deep in grass, brambles, etc. Over the wall, between the church and the Army camp, was a cemetery for German POW. Grass all manicured and beautiful, looked like it had been trimmed with a pair of scissors.

Adnams

The most amazing Church I have ever been to was in a really sh*tty part of Northhampton, all around it were vile 1960's shopping developments but it stood there proudly. Most of the nave was Saxon it was very beautiful and moving.
Shame it was no longer used and there were a fair few people sleeping rough in and around it and Mum would have to go and befriend a smack head who was only after a bit of cash but she wouldnt believe me.... .

I agree with you on the sacrosanct.
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Silly Sod

Amazing!! Where me and my USC wife lived in Salford there was a church next to a pub surrounded by other pubs and cheap crappy freezerland type shops. It was in part of Salford, Greater Mnchester, called Eccles; yes, where Eccles Cakes were born. Anyhoo, I had walked past this church on my way to the pub next door a hundred thousand times or so and never noticed it. It was just a church with graffittii and never open even on a sunday (at least not by the time I got to the pub at 1.00pm). My american wife, with her usual american curiosity for all things older than two weeks, read the stonework and was amazed to find that this building, in the middle of a shitty 'hood', was actually almost 900 years old. So, just shows you really. Nosey bleedin americans

Adnams

Thats why we love Blighty, all that history right there under our noses. Its like Lincoln, on the high street there are remains of Roman pillars right there in the road and the roman archway still stands that was party of the city walls. Any they're well over 900 years old! Makes one feel pround 'eh!
Unlinke this bomb thing in London last night that really get my goat to put it politely.

Silly Sod

And possibly another one in cheshire!!

Adnams

Really I havent heard that and I've had BBC radio four on since I got up at 6am est???

ironporer

Not to quibble or look for a fight...but it seems to me that your grudge is against HYPOCRITES or perhaps hypocritical church goers. Not really fair to paint all Christians with the same broad brush.

cindyabs

Yes indeed hypocrites, Seems often the more they blat the more they have to hide.

TouristTrap

Agreed.