Hitchin
Celestial Messenger
To the south of the Chancel in St. Mary’s Church in Hitchin, is the Guild Chapel and its ceiling has beautifully carved wooden medieval Angels: Some with gold leaf on their wings, others without. This might have been due to prohibitive cost, so the rest couldn’t be done or their gold leaf has fallen away. For whatever reason, they are still beautiful to look at. It is worth noting that each Angel has a different symbol associated with it. This one has a lute, others have a harp or viol, keys or shields or symbols of the guild who funded their making.
To the north of the Chancel is the Trinity Chapel, and it too has Angels on its ceiling. These seem to be of a different style and none have the gilded wings that the others have in the Guild Chapel. However, they are still beautiful and full of character, with individual hairstyles and worth taking note of. So the next time you are in St. Mary’s Church, Look up!
Cloister Garth
This doorway leads into Hitchin Priory’s Cloister Garth (14th Century) from its west wall and above this is the hall (Late 16th to early 17th Century) that is in the previous post.
Hitchin Priory Hall
This is the big hall that sits above the west part of the cloisters in The Priory in Hitchin – Confusingly ‘The Priory’ was really a Carmelite Friary founded in 1317 and was renamed to ‘The Priory’ when the house was added on to the Friary at a much later date. What we now know as ‘The Biggin’, used to be Hitchin’s Gilbertine ‘Priory of Newbiggin’ founded in 1361.
A Routemaster London ‘Double-Decker’ bus in Hitchin’s Market Place
A red ‘Routemaster’ London ‘Double-Decker’ bus passing through Hitchin’s Market Place. In the background is Starbucks coffee shop. But before it was that, it used to be the locally owned ‘The Tea and Coffee House’. We really do live in a pretty little market town.
Vaisakhi procession by the local Sikh Community
On Saturday 14th April (2012), there was a wonderful procession by the local and surrounding Sikh communities, celebrating Vaisakhi. (The founding of the Sikh religion in 1699.)
Que Pasa
Here is an inside tilt-shifted shot of Que Pasa before the public are allowed in. This pub used to be known as The Corn Exchange and was used as such, then became a craft market before becoming a public house. It is a great space with a lovely glass and metal roof and could be greater, if only they would spend some money on doing the place up.
Tiled Floor in St. Mary’s Church
These tiles appear to be Late Medeival in date and can be found in the west end of St. Mary’s Church between the font and the bell tower.
Grove Road Bridge Graffiti
Walking along the far end of Grove Road up towards the crossroads, one could see some graffiti (sadly now painted over again) done by a local artist. It might not have been be to everyone’s taste but it livened up a dark and dank walk along the River Hiz under the rail bridge with colour and style. There have been other more complex pieces previously, but hopefully some new ones will be done again soon.