Church snaps

Beam

This by way of a preliminary extra: a fully authenticated Grade II wooden beam from our cottage near Holne. Note the wooden peg holding the two timbers together, rather than iron nail or bolt. Authentication certificate on application.

St. Mary the Virgin, Holne

Another large church for a small village, presumably reflecting the days when there was a much larger number of farm workers in the area, keen for a bit of spiritual comfort and socialising on their day off. Public House opposite, then owned by the church, for other needs.

Antique screen and pulpit

Piano one

Broadwood still operating at reference 1, prices on application.

St. Paul's, Yelverton

Early twentieth century, presumably built to serve the expanding population of escapees and retirees from Plymouth, at a time when there were still enough rich old ladies inclined to fund such things.

Piano two

Reference 2 would suggest that Ascherberg is an unusual choice for a piano in a parish church. Perhaps a gift from a rich parishioner who had no further use for it. In any event, Ascherberg appear to have vanished in the bombing of Dresden towards the end of the second world war.

Kneelers

Yelverton clearly runs to a very lively kneeler club. Would need to take advice on whether it is tapestry, cross stitch or what.

St Eustachius’, Tavistock

Pulpit

Another fancy pulpit, backed up by fancy woodwork. Plus a granite column in the background, fake to the extent that massive granite sections are being used to imitate a cluster of columns, when not fake often done with the core in a pale stone and with the outer columns in a dark stone.

Memorial

A late eighteenth century memorial tablet to the Carpenter family, made by a stone mason from Clapham, when Clapham was considered to be part of Surrey rather than part of London.

Shelter

A substantial shelter at the corner of the church yard. Not clear to what end: first thought was coffin stop, but there is no convenient way in.

St. Mary's, Dartington

Mid nineteenth century, with a few bits of salvage from earlier buildings.

Tile & Rail

Snapped first for the tiling, despite not being a match for Buckfast Abbey, posted yesterday. Second for the tatty hinges to the altar rail. Oddly out of keeping with the otherwise no-expense-spared tone of the building. But in keeping with the rather unused and unloved interior.

Piano three

Mickleburgh of Bristol still exist at reference 3, but it does not look as if they still make pianos. Just restoration, repair and tuning. With most of their business looking to be in more popular sectors of the music market.

But digging a bit deeper, I get to reference 4, which offers an interesting aperçu into the piano business, with the provenance of this one not being all that might at first appear.

Another reminder that there were once a lot more piano makers about than there are now.

Reference 1: http://www.broadwood.co.uk/.

Reference 2: http://www.galleriasilecchia.com/Pianos/Ascherberg/history.html.

Reference 3: https://mickleburgh.co.uk/.

Reference 4: https://www.thepianoshopbath.co.uk/2017/03/investigating-a-mickleburgh-piano/.

Reference 5: https://psmv3.blogspot.com/2018/08/standen.html. A rather grander Broadwood piano than that snapped above at piano one.