We met Howard and Jenni on our southern African campaign in 2017, one of nine couples on that wonderful tour, and have kept up, via Facebook and a lunch last August at Greenwich. Simply put, they are two of the most interesting and talented people we know. We stayed with them outside Newbury May 15, and were treated to a tour of the environs, a display of their many crafts and creations, a grand Jenni dinner, and much interesting and enlightening conversation.
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St. Nicholas Church, Beedon, which they care for; very old,
some Saxon bits, local flint throughout |
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Master bell-ringer Howard showing Vicki how
it works |
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In the oldest part of the church, an arch the old bells' ropes had worn
into |
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| Some of the newer sculpture |
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One side of the arch that separates the old and new
parts of the church features a snake's head |
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| And the other, the snake's tail |
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Farnborough parish church, some miles down the
road, also very old |
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| Environs |
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The church is notable for these windows, celebrating Sir John Betjeman, Poet Laureate, 1972-84, a "sometime resident" of the local rectory; a noted defender of the Victorian...saved St. Pancras Station from demolition years ago; so I have read |
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| The Old Rectory, Farnborough |
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It was great fun driving around the countryside, an expert at the
wheel (Howard), Vicki effectively blinkered in the back seat;
Jenni was back at the house preparing a remarkable meal, so
good, in fact, I forgot to take any pix |
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| They really do live at World's End |
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Among Jenni's undertakings, making these unbelievable lace fans |
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| A current project... |
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When not sailing, renovating antique clocks,
editing and publishing, or caring for the parish
church, Howard also does beautiful woodwork,
the above a recreation of an ancient candle-holder
used for needle work; the light directed and
refracted by the glass globe; from Horse Chestnut,
aka Buckeye |
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| Gorgeous wisteria in their backyard garden |
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| Jenni and Howard; many, many thanks |
