CARD IMAGE GALLERY

St Thomas' Church ❖ St Thomas' Street ❖ Winchelsea ❖ East Sussex ❖ England ❖ 8 April 2023 ❖ 1:34pm Saint Thomas the Martyr Church in Winchelsea is named for St Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered in 1170. At the time, King Henry II was attributed as uttering the famous line, "Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?" This resulted in four of his knights assassinating St Thomas in his own cathedral, creating one of the most powerful legends in England's history. The original church began life in Old Winchelsea in 1215. Floods destroyed the old town, which was rebuilt inland starting in 1288. This Gothic structure was partially destroyed by the French in the 14th century, who potentially gained access to the town via my beloved Newgate. Over the years, this magnificent church fell into near ruin, prompting restoration work starting in 1850. Although Canterbury Cathedral is epic to behold (I've visited many times,) St Thomas' Church in Winchelsea has its own grandeur, both inside and outside. I've photographed over a dozen churches since living in England, and I find the one in Winchelsea to be the standout. This image showcases the deep reds of the roof, gleaming weathervane, and the diamond-shaped clock in blue and gold. The gold colours extend into the external structure of the famous stained glass windows. The flying buttresses lend an unfinished, yet solid presence of this place of worship. Over the years, I have captured many photos of this stunning church. I visited many times over the last six months, getting different angles in various weathers and times of day. In preparation for my new card order in May 2023, I sifted through my vast collection many times, preparing five different shots for print before I finally decided on the one you see here. My 97 year old friend Barbara passed in February, and I made a special trip to visit her temporary gravesite. She lived nearby the church grounds, and was an active member of the Winchelsea community. I would occasionally stop in for a chat during my many walks into town, always ending in a big hug. She was an amazing lady, with a quick wit and always a gleam in her eye, even as she began to lose her memory near the end of her long life. Thus, on that April afternoon, I sat on the ground next to her resting place, having a wee chat and a quiet sit with her. I had a sudden impulse to capture some photos from that vantage point, an angle I had not tried previously. With a heavy heart and a veil of unshed tears, I took a couple of pictures from my earthen seat. It wasn't until a final review of my Winchelsea Church photo collection that I noticed I'd inadvertently included the small plaque bearing her name at the bottom of the shot. I am certain that she would have approved.