Stratton Strawless, St Margaret: Always a Warm Welcome
The lovely church at Stratton Strawless, north Norfolk, is one of my personal favourite medieval churches in Norfolk and a place I have visited many times over the years. Approaching it, there is something solid and reassuring about its hunch-shouldered tower (clearly intended to be several stages taller). Walking through the graveyard and into the porch, the little table and chairs set out within signal the warmest of welcomes...
Entering through the solid south door, as well as the home-made jams and marmalade for sale, there is a another table set out with a kettle and cups to refresh visitors
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| Another indication of a genuinely welcoming church: one that enables access to their toilet (why keep them locked!) |
In the south aisle there is a large selection of second-hand books for sale at very reasonable prices, and I have acquired many bargains here over the years. On the top of the bookcase immediately to your' left as you enter the aisle, is a plaque commemorating Churchwarden, Victor Coates. As I enter, I always say, 'Sorry Victor'. Here's why...
Many years ago my Ragged Rambler chums would mark the start of the warmer months with our annual visit to the enchanting bluebell woods at Stratton Strawless. This was hosted by the lovely older woman who agreed to open her woods and garden to visitors as the flowers bloomed in order to raise money for the church. One year I didn't see the signage out on the nearby roads that usually indicated the open woods date was pending. I searched online, but to no avail. Eventually, I decided to email the church via the details on their webpage. I emailed the man named as a contact twice, but he never replied. Eventually, I learned of the opening dates by chance, and turned up at the woods a little peeved at being snubbed in this way. Thus, I approached one of the volunteers and expressed my dissatisfaction with the lack of communication. Looking a little awkward, the woman asked who I had been emailing and when I said it was Victor Coates, she explained that, unfortunately he was unable to respond as he is deceased. Eek! I was a bit embarrassed and mumbled some inanity in a very English way, before seeking solace with some bric-a-brac browsing, followed by tea and home-made cake. So there you have the context for my apology to dear Victor.
The postscript to this, is that later that day I visited the church only to find that Victor had been dead for a several years - how very 'Church of England'! It inspired me to request to my daughters that, upon my demise, they set my email 'out of office' with the following message:
'Regrettably, Colin is currently dead and therefore unable to respond to you by this means. However, if you do get a response via email, or by any other manifestations, please inform us. Thank you!'
Back to the church itself: here is a view looking eastwards along the nave. Note the enormous candelabra. Were I to perish in a tragic church-related 'incident' it would be my wish to be crushed by this gargantuan brass edifice! Then it would be true to say that it had made quite an impression on me.
One of the things I Love about re-visiting churches is that you often discover little 'treasures' you may have missed over numerous visits. So it was earlier today (Sunday 16th February, 2025) with these lovely carved spandrels on the screen, together with joyous little faces (that remind me of those on the screen at St Andrew, Bedingham).
It is always a delight to look at the excellent collection of medieval stained glass in the upper north nave windows. Then, moving eastwards along the nave aisle I like to admire the recumbent black painted female figure with heart in hand, tucked into the north-east corner of the nave...
Finally, in this most actively welcoming of churches, I'll finish with the outstandingly beautiful Angel made in a Norwich workshop in the fifteenth century...
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| Beauty! |
The Fallible Flâneur <*((((><{
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