C is for Churchyards and Church Spires
I went out this morning looking for a witch’s grave.
Meg Shelton, known as the “Fylde Hag” or the “Fylde Witch” was buried in 1705 in the churchyard at St Anne’s Church in the nearby village of Woodplumpton.
And I found it!
I found the boulder they put over her grave to stop her escaping (for a third time). But that’s for a future post. I’ll need to do some research to try to find out how she managed to be buried in consecrated ground; so far I’ve not discovered much.
I did get some photos of the churchyard though.
I saw this notice just as I was about to lean on a headstone and took heed of the solemn warning:
Take Heed ©HelenBushe
There’s a Right of Way for walkers through the graveyard and into the fields behind the church. You might just spot the Public Footpath sign:
Angel ©HelenBushe
Many of the graves in the old part of the churchyard date from the 1800’s:
Gravestones at St Anne’s Church ©HelenBushe
This morning’s church, St Anne’s in Woodplumpton doesn’t have much of a spire (though it does have a cupola topped with a weather-vane); but St Michael’s in our nearest town, Kirkham, has a rather magnificent one:
St Michael’s Church, Kirkham ©HelenBushe
I don’t think St Michael’s has any witches though.
This week Cee’s Black & White Challenge was the letters “C” and “D”.
My post for the letter “D” will have to wait until another day (unless D for Dead counts! there’s enough graves here for it to qualify.)
23 Comments
badfish · 14 March 2017 at 08:00
I’m a B&W kinda guy, love these photos. Especially the last one, facade of the church. Just lovely….
HMB · 14 March 2017 at 10:08
Thank you so much.
Joanne Sisco · 12 March 2017 at 22:33
You’ve definitely captured my attention with Meg Shelton and her ‘escape’ from burial!! I’m hoping for a followup post 🙂
I love the processing on your b&w images. They are perfect for your subject!
HMB · 13 March 2017 at 10:32
Thanks Joanne. You’re very kind. Meg Shelton has captured my imagination too.
Leah · 12 March 2017 at 00:40
Ooooh, I do love a good graveyard. The UK is so fortunate to play host to so many gorgeous, very old ones. You’ve captured the stone work and the beauty just wonderfully.
I can’t wait to hear learn more about Meg and her grave escaping ways. Like any good ghost story, you’ve got me on the edge of my seat!
HMB · 14 March 2017 at 10:14
Hi Leah. We’re lucky to have so many places of interest nearby. Though I think most people have really. I like to “pretend” I’m a tourist sometimes when visiting a familiar place to try to really “see” it. Photography helps me do this so much.
HMB · 14 March 2017 at 10:15
Ps Post on Meg the Witch coming soon.
Marc-André · 11 March 2017 at 14:24
Such stunning photos
HMB · 11 March 2017 at 17:29
Thank you Marc-Andre
Marc-André · 12 March 2017 at 09:09
You are welcome 🙂
Madame Zenista · 10 March 2017 at 21:06
Such great pictures- all of them!
HMB · 10 March 2017 at 22:21
Thank you. I’m so glad you like them.
Cee Neuner · 10 March 2017 at 17:40
Brilliant photos are usual. Thanks Helen. 😀
HMB · 10 March 2017 at 22:37
Thank you Cee. This week’s challenge got me out to a local Graveyard where I had a lovely morning taking photographs. Without the challenge I probably wouldn’t have revisited it.
Hugh's Views and News · 10 March 2017 at 12:30
Your photography is always wonderful, Helen, but the black and white aspect make these photos look so dramatic. I hope you find out a bit more about that Witch.
HMB · 10 March 2017 at 13:35
Thanks for your encouraging comments Hugh. Yes, I’m determined to find out about the Fylde Hag!
bushboy · 9 March 2017 at 22:50
Photos from graveyards are always better in black and white. Love them
HMB · 10 March 2017 at 07:33
Thank you bushboy. I so agree with you about black and white for graveyards.
But roll on summer and I can be out taking colourful butterflies and dragonflies!
Arkenaten · 9 March 2017 at 22:00
What a lovely post, Helen, and the last image is really smashing. So much texture
HMB · 9 March 2017 at 22:04
Thank you. So kind of you to say that.
Laurie Graves · 9 March 2017 at 21:20
Magnificent is right!
HMB · 9 March 2017 at 21:26
Thanks Laurie. You’re generous in your praise.
The Witch is Escaping from her Grave! Quick, get a Boulder! - PHOTOPHILE · 18 March 2017 at 21:05
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