I’m starting to develop a project about Ryedale’s villages with a view to something, I’m not quite sure what, culminating in a year – in other words, a year in the life of these villages. It’s a great excuse to seek out places, though close by, I’ve never been to. I had an hour free yesterday so headed off to Great Edstone, which I do know quite well, and then followed the road out in the direction of Salton.
A bit of a challenge will be that these villages are generally very picturesque – lots of cute cottages, a few more substantial houses and then the pub plus the church or chapel. To try and capture the variety and individual character of these places will probably mean I need to focus on events taking place or key characters who live in them. We’ll see.
But for the short time I had and the sleepy state I found the villages I passed through at 5pm in the afternoon, I concentrated on the obvious – churches.
First stop was Great Edstone and the Church of St Michael and All Angels’, originally of Saxon origin, the church was rebuilt in the 13th century, with later additions during the 18th and 19th centuries.
I then headed on to Salton but carried on to Butterwick which I’d never visited. The name “Butterwick” means ‘Butter (specialised) farm’ – the Church of the Holy Epiphany stands near Butterwick Bridge.
Going into the church I was immediately captivated by a shaft of light illuminating some red hymn books.
And in the porch too.
So only an hour but good to make a start on my village project.