Just being

These days I feel we appear to be afraid of clutter, splatter and untidiness. The past is indeed a foreign country, but should we be obsessed by the need to hide it, rebuild it, replace or recycle it? Current philosophy says as long as we get rid of outdated things (one way or another) that’s all right.

Last summer I was delighted to be taken on a tour of the remains of several old ruined churches in North Norfolk.

One of the most impressive ruins we saw was the site of the medieval village of Godwick. Here I don’t think the villagers had any say about preserving their houses – the remains of which can really only be observed from the air, but I am delighted to see that the present owner of the land has preserved the church tower which remains as an imposing reminder of the church.

St Andrew’s Wellingham- quite close by is a much better example of a church which is now, as far as the diocese is concerned, “closed.” The remains of the church, with the pews, the pulpit and even the organ are just allowed to be. The church doesn’t have a future – as a church – but it is just there.

St Margaret’s in West Raynham over the years has lost its roof and widows etc but the graves, the memories and the artefacts, which must have been held dear, are allowed to continue undisturbed as a reminder of the past.

All Saints Oxwick is a site with a great atmosphere. The nettles, brambles shroud the walls and the interior. There has been no attempt to remove precious stone monuments and clearly the place continues to be visited by local villagers.

These places and many more beside for me have an intrinsic significance, monuments to a bygone age, but they are not hacked about, altered or “improved” – nor have they been poshed up by the Department of Improvements, with neat lawns and the inevitable kiosk where one can purchase tickets for entry.

With dignity they just are – and I think must be allowed to continue to be.