Greasley Church -
A Trip Up The Tower
w/e 14 July
2002
Whilst visiting Greasley for last week's selection of photos, we were fortunate
enough to find the church open and a guide to point out some
features of interest. He also told us that the following week
was the Parish Day when there would be guided tours up the tower.
Such an opportunity was too good to miss.
Much of the church was rebuilt in 1896 following mining subsidence
although the tower, one of the oldest parts of the church dates
back several more centuries. It was here in a gallery above the
door that musicians and singers would congregate during church
services. Whenever they performed everyone else in the church
had to turn their backs on the altar to look at them giving rise
to the expression "to face the music".
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The ascent of the tower via a narrow spiral
staircase was achieved in easy stages. About a third of the way
up is the room where the campanologists perform their art. A
few minutes were spent here discussing the merits of hemp and
polyester for the bell ropes and the small green door was opened
to reveal the thickness of the walls.
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Two thirds of the way up the tower is another
chamber housing the bells. The large bell in the centre of was
actually tolled whilst I was taking this picture. When all the
bells are ringing it is not advisable to be this close!
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Once at the top this couple, having travelled
from the other side of the world in New Zealand, took the opportunity
to acquire a memento for their photo album as a reminder of their
trip.
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There were many more photo opportunities
at the top like this one from the north side of the tower looking
down onto the Parish Hall.
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And from the eastern side of the tower, beyond the church roof,
is the older part of the churchyard. Benjamin Drawater's tombstone
(see last week's photos) with the two plaques in front, is bathed
in sunshine in the centre of this picture near the trees.
Click "Views
From The Tower" to see more of what D. H. Lawrence called
the "Country of my Heart".
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