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Tuesday 27 September 2011

Ketton - A Village in Rutland - Thematic Photography


Carmi's theme this week is "It's in the details." What we post is up to us, so I thought I would take you to the village where I was born. Ketton is in Rutland, England's smallest county.

People who know will say I'm not into religion but the details of my post are about the village church.


St Mary's Church, Ketton
The entrance to the west end of the churchyard is down the lane on the far left. But there are more formal entrances.
The Railway Inn and the church lychgate
The lychgate has the cross on top. Further down the road on the right the church comes into view.
South door and west end
 The elevated path from the lychgate runs between the wall and the gravestones. The west door is hidden by a gravestone under the branches of the yew tree on the left.
West door (Norman style arch)
Perhaps I should say that the church is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Can you see the small hole in the protruding column to the left of the door at roughly the same height at top of the arch. Let's take a look in more detail.
Gnomon hole
A gnomon is the projecting piece of a sundial that shows the time by the shadow it creates. You should be able to see two of the radial graduations below the hole.

Inside the porch of the south door, the main entrance into the church, are notice boards and two rolls commemorating personnel from the village who served in WWI and WWII. I hope you will be able to make out their names.
WWI Roll
My father and one of my uncles appear on this list, my brothers on WWII.
WWII Roll
I think that's enough detail for now, so I'll end with a shot of the east end of the church.
St Mary's Church, Ketton
For more details of a myriad of things please visit others participating in Thematic photographic 164 - It's in the details.

11 comments:

Little Nell said...

I really enjoyed this detailed post Bob. I like churches - as buildings. That gnomon hole had me wondering for a moment - then all was revealed! I feel as if I’ve been on a virtual tour of Ketton - where I’ve never been in reality you’ll be pleased to hear :)

Sue said...

Bob, that's really interesting. I feel like I've had a morning tour. I assume there would have been more parts to the sundial (the little stick that casts the shadow) and wonder what happened and why they've not been replaced. Love the word gnomon - it sounds so old and conjures up an ancient world.

Alexia said...

I always love your posts, mostly about a country I have never visited; they make me long to go there. Great shots, Bob.

MorningAJ said...

Where the cement comes from?

I love Rutland. And I admire how it was determined to continue, even though they tried to 'rearrange' it out of existence in the 1970s.

Great post.

Sara said...

I love England. Love the narrow streets & interesting streets and stone buildings. And the sundial hole - neat. I think I spotted it in the bigger picture. I am pretty sure I would never have noticed it, if I were walking by.

Anonymous said...

Feels as though I walked right along side you, just in viewing these shots. Thank you for the tour, the very personal aspects of the photography and the bounty of details you shared here. The intricate brickwork and the sundial-secrets are profound reminders of the creative strength of those who came before us.

Max Sartin said...

I really love old buildings, and pictures of them. My house will be 100 yrs old next year, which by U.K. standards is relatively new, but by American standards is ancient. Great buildings. Great pictures.

Bob Scotney said...

@ MorningAJ, Ketton Cement used to be known all around from the loriies that carried the name. Castle Cement that replaced it doesn't tell me anything.

Aeria said...

Beautiful tour and details!
Love the lists and personal detail of your Father/Uncle/Brothers on them. Wonderful :)

carmilevy said...

Wow! I loved this peek into where you came from, and hope you'll share more with us in future. What a resonant place, captured so beautifully.

Vicki said...

Thanks for the tour! Old brick and stone have such character and beauty. Perfect for the theme.