pumpkinstrokemarrow

Some weeks ago I had occasion to moan about what I thought was an architectural solecism at Sherbourne (see May 3) - with mullions running from the top to the bottom of the windows. We now learn the truth of the matter from the guidebook to the church of St Mawgan-in-Pydar in the vale of Lanherne. Not a solecism at all. These straight up and down mullions are a feature of large perpendicular style windows which need the additional support provided by such mullions. The earlier decorated style windows manage without. Something I ought to have known given that I was supposed a wow at such matters when I was doing O levels all those years ago.

The guide suggests that decorated vs. perpendicular was a subject of as much anguished debate when this church was restored in 1860 or so as the rood screen was in our own Christ Church much more recently. In 1860 they went so far as to have one window retrofitted decorated from perpendicular. Or the debates without number about the number, size, shape and position of chairs in the nave given dwindling audiences.

It also tells us that the church had originally been founded, in the year of Our Lord 550, by one St Mawgan who came from a place called Dementia in Wales. According to Google Earth the place certainly exists but appears to be a field in Pembrokeshire. Perhaps St Mawgan is the patron saint of the demented, although the guide says nothing about it.

All in all a very worthwhile visit. A visit which was supplemented by two further attractions. First, a funny little craft shop in what was not much more than a shed. Rather expensive craft for all that. The merchant - to use the word that those credit card contraptions use in shops - was an interesting lady of uncertain age. Second, a nursery specialising in bonsai which also featured a Japanese garden, created out of a bit of overgrown valley. Lots of bonsai at all sorts of prices, running up to £1,000 or more. Some of them up to the standard of the flashy trees on show last year at Hampton Court Flower Show. Or at least they would be given a bit of a wash and brush up. One interesting feature was the use of sturdy wire to wrap round twigs to train them to grow in the desired direction. The chap told me that the usual drill was to put it on at the start of the growing season and to take it off again at the end - must be a right flap-doodle to do this without damaging anything.

Japanese garden an interesting blend of local with exotic. A lot of bamboo, a lot of water and a lot of little, but multi story, stone pagodas with pennies in them. The question was, who put the pennies there?

And last but not least, if you were staying in the area, yoga was also on offer.