The New Murrey and Blue blog

The heading of this article may sound a little like the latest blockbuster television drama series, but no, it refers to the stone corbels that abound in the small red sandstone Norman church of St Mary & St David in the hamlet of Kilpeck, Herefordshire.

These wonderful carvings were drawn to my attention one evening recently when once again I was watching an episode of the documentary-cum-entertainment Antique Road Trip series. As I’ve said before, the series is (are, there are a lot of them) set around a different pair of antique experts every week. They have to compete against each other to buy five or six antiques or collectables from various shops, and then confront each other at an auction to see who can make the most profit for Children in Need.

These experts do not only visit shops, they also make side-trips to various attractions in the area through which their route takes them. In the episode I watched, one of them paid a visit to the charming Church of St Mary & St David, which was built in the 12th century by a grandson of the Conqueror. You can read more of the church here https://kilpeckchurch.org.uk/the-church/ and here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St_Mary_and_St_David,_Kilpeck.

Pevsner describes Kilpeck as “one of the most perfect Norman churches in England”, and so it is, because to me it seems as untouched as when built. But it now lacks the wonderful wall paintings that once graced the interior, and it was restored in the 19th century, so obviously it has been touched in its many centuries. But perfection it still is.

The lady who conducted our antiques expert around said that the area had once been part of Wales, with all the then pagan associations, and that when the Normans arrived they built their Christian church on the pagan site. She explained that it was this that led to all the pagan carvings on the outside of the church, whereas on passing through the wonderful Norman arched doorway you find yourself in the realms of Christianity. So you have snakes, green men and such like externally, but inside you’re in a sanctuary of Christ and the saints.

If you visit this photostream KIlpeck Herefordshire – Corbel 32 – Stag’s Head | On my rece… | Flickr you can see a lot of close-ups of the corbels.

The church is well worth a visit, although its website does warn that there aren’t any toilet facilities. Your bladders have been warned!

PS: Please look at the image below. It’s of the “hare and hound” corbel at Kilpeck. Look closely. Is it or is it not one of Gromit’s forebears? It’s certainly a dead ringer….although I concede that the hare doesn’t resemble Wallace! 😄