All that history just a short squelch away

St Nicholas, Buckenham should really be renamed

St Nicholas the Forlorn standing as it does in splendid

isolation amid the fields to the north of the River Yare

and quarter of a mile from the nearest road making it

approachable only on foot via a muddy footpath.

St Nick's

It's one of only five churches in Norfolk to have a slender,

completely octagonal 13th century west tower.  There's even

an additional 17th century dovecote, lined with brick nesting

boxes, half way up - coo!  Inside, the almost baroque in style,

tower arch was infilled with lace-like tracery as part of the

19th century restoration work.

Entrance to the bell tower

The bell cast circa 1290 and one of the oldest in East Anglia

was nicked in the 1970's and never recovered although it beats

me where you could stash a bloody great bell for very long

without a few questions being asked.

It's always angels

And to top it all off the stained glass above where the altar

once stood is by none other than SC Yarrington of Norwich.

I just knew you'd be impressed by that!

The ancient font

This hauntingly lovely old building is no longer used for regular 

worship and, after extensive wanton damage inflicted

by architectural vandals during the 1960's and 1970's it is

now thankfully in the hands of the Churches Conservation Trust.

Can you see the ghostly chorister too?

It's both a sad place, because of the widespread green mould

and scarred walls, yet at the same time joyous because of all

the treasures it still contains for the curious to seek out.

Anyone may enter at any time as it's never locked offering

sanctuary or a place for quiet reflection - even, in my

case, shelter from a sudden downpour.

Oh!  I nearly forgot to mention .......

the jolly little foot pumped organ is still in perfect working

order.  How do I know?  Because I couldn't resist belting out

a couple of verses of onward Christian Soldiers on it with

my cousin Jan singing a lusty solo in the choir.  

Magnificent - goosebumps (if not thunderbolts) all round!

Naughty girl Julia, be sure your sins will find you out.

Please close the door when you leave.