Four Parishes Arts Society - February 2008

"Church Recording" - a talk given by Caroline Unwin

It was in 1971 that the V & A inaugurated Church Recordings.  The local Test Valley group was set up in 1993 by NADFAS who undertook to make a record of all the churches in the Test Valley.  The churches in the villages of Chilbolton, Thruxton, Appleshaw, Fyfield, Amport, Grateley and Abbots Ann have been fully recorded and an eighth church, Nether Wallop, is still being recorded.

There are nine sections of recordings: Memorials, Metal Work, Stonework, Woodwork, Textiles, Paintings, Library, Windows, Miscellaneous.

On a screen we were shown many of these amazing artefacts whilst Caroline gave an in depth history of their origins and families.  Items ranged from the beautiful textiles outstanding of which is the millennium altar frontal in Amport Church with its three huge white lilies. There were two old bibles: one connected to the Marquess of Winchester. Wall paintings of great antiquity.  Fine stonework like the carved baptismal font at Amport Church.  Thruxton church also had some very fine stonework. An altar plaque that had once been hidden in a fireplace and many, many more all of outstanding interest.

It was a wonderful evening learning about the historical facts of our local churches, much of which we could not possibly know. Through much research, Caroline was able to bring the history of this subject to her audience.

The Four Parishes Arts Society next meeting is in Grateley Hall on 11 March with Ray Broughton on ‘Preparing the Garden for Summer’.

The Four Parishes Arts Society are holding their EXHIBITION on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of May at Quarley Hall.

Opening times are: Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm.  Lunch and liquid refreshments are available at a small cost. Please come and see our wonderful collection of Arts and Crafts from our local artists.