May 2024. Dilwyn. Leominster.
I loved this Marches trip; fantastic scenery, new roads to pink in on the Philip Navigator (that’s never happening),
and some first ever visits to places like Docklow and Dilwyn, which sounds like a Leominster solicitor.
Sadly the weather was too grim for a visit to the rhododendrons at Hergest Croft that inspired Mike Oldfield’s sophomore album, so we headed straight to Dilwyn’s Crown for beer and burgers.
Pretty village, unfussy village pub, Star Wars shown on Star Trek Day.
Never mind that though; what are those 4 people doing on the chairs below ?
And how has an interloper from Bishop’s Castle snuck into the Holy Trinity of Wye Valley, Hobsons and Ludlow ?
Should have had the Robinsons, but beer and cider don’t mix (take it from me).
Some Old Boys at the bar, some gentlefolk diners (Oh, that’s us) under the hops.
It’s pleasant and unfussy, and gets a BIG bonus point for playing the new and wonderful Lizzy McAlpine album, perhaps the only place you’ll hear it.
The chap in the hat comes to the bar.
“Butty, Martin ?”
“Yes please Ma’am”. I like that show of respect.
I was sticking to the HPA now, the Butty being a bit buttery (?), and this was a cool, crisp 3.5.
From a simple menu,
the burger was superbly juicy and calorific, and most of those chips were nicked by persons unknown.
A joyful place, behind and in front of the bar.
“Went to see the Spice Girls tribute in Lem last night”
“I’ll, tell what I want, what I really really want, another beer”.
We walked the bounds,
and added St Mary to our church tick list. Is there a Good Church Guide ?
This contraption at the door looks like one of those soft toy grabbers at the seaside,
and the seats were all taken up by cuddly animals rescued in that way over the years.
Mrs RM arrived, looking horrified at something.
I popped off to take the money shot,
and when I returned our four furry friends looked a lot happier.
If there was an award for rearranging soft toys in churches, Mrs RM would walk it.
retiredmartin 
I thought Dilwyn was flooded long ago, but that was Dolwyn.
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It’s already been done.
I don’t think Paul Bailey would be too happy about £9.50 ciabattas with salad and chips.
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One thousand churches sounds eminently doable, though the micro churches probably have unreliable opening hours.
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A birthday meant going out for lunch and my wife chose a cheese and onion cob (£2.50) in the Beacon Hotel, none of that £9.50 ciabattas nonsense. Absolutely wonderful.
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There is indeed a good church guide, it’s called The Collins Guide to Parish Churches of England and Wales by Sir John Betjeman. Still in print although I don’t think they give out stickers saying “The Betjeman Guide! We are in it!”
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They should do, Bill.
The issue is that most visits would be to churches outside operational hours, a bit like taking photos of pubs when they’re shut.
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Nothing wrong with taking photos of pubs outside opening hours.
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As long as you ask the pubs permission first.
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I think there may be a guide by Nikolaus Pevsner too. Perhaps only regional though? East Anglia?
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The Pevsner guide would certainly cover it
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The Pevsner guide covers all notable buildings, not just churches, it’s a multi volume thing. Many volumes were edited by the mighty Ian Nairn, a great writer and broadcaster on architecture and also capable of putting away 14 pints at lunchtime. Dead now, of course.
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Those last two things are completely unrelated, of course.
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Very true. It’s evening drinking that might be slightly risky.
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