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John Vigar

@johnevigar.bsky.social

2K followers 540 following 590 posts

Ecclesiastical Historian. Arts Society Accredited Lecturer. Author of 16 books. Trustee of Friends of Friendless Churches and Francis Coales Charitable Foundation. Member of the Advisory Council of the Norfolk Churches Trust. Unashamedly woke. 🏳️‍🌈

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 3h

So kind but being chauffeured to and from the station. I never get time to do anything else on these trips.

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 6h

En route to Salisbury to speak to the Arts Society on ‘Murder, Sex and Mayhem in the English Parish Church’ including their own sorry tale of Sir John Penruddock in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 10h

Swannington, Norfolk, St Margaret.
By far the most important object in the church is a Norman pillar piscina carved with St George and the Dragon. It was hidden in the rood loft staircase and only discovered when that was unblocked a hundred years ago.

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 1d

Ceiling by Stephen Dykes Bower in Hambledon church, Hampshire

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 1d

Yes. It was purchased from the Crown following the closure of the monastery. You’ve still got it!

John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 2d

The squire employs the chaplain who takes services in the church which the squire maintains. I’m not sure how weddings work, though!

John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 2d

On the final morning of my tour of Hampshire churches I took my group to Southwick which is a ‘peculiar’ where the Patron is responsible for everything. It’s a medieval building with many post-Reformation fittings

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 2d

Yes, I always think of Skenfrith when I see it!

John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 2d

My party learned about Martin Travers on their tour of Hampshire churches today. Here Sir Bedivere carries Arthur’s body. Cheriton Church. 17 churches visited 3 more tomorrow.

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 3d

Continuing my journey taking a party around Hampshire churches. This is Holy Trinity, Privett, now in the care of The Churches Conservation Trust. Built by a fortune made in gin. 1879s architect AW Blomfield

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 3d

This morning I showed my guests on the Hampshire Churches Tour the eccentric tower at Meonstoke church.

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 3d

Continuing my study tour of Hampshire churches my guests enjoyed the iconography of the Tournai Marble Font at East Meon. Here Eve takes the apple.

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 4d

I’m leading a group tour of historic Hampshire churches. This morning I showed my guests the lovely late Saxon Corhampton.

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 4d

As I lead my party around the churches of Hampshire I introduced them to Shedfield designed by local architect John Colson who took his inspiration from Ruskin’s The Stones of Venice

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 4d

I’m leading a tour of 18 churches in Hampshire. This is Fareham, St Peter and St Paul. Visible Saxon origins and thirteenth and twentieth century rebuilds. Only 17 churches to go!

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 5d

Romanesque pillar piscina at Swannington church, Norfolk, decorated with a lively image of St George and the Dragon. Church open daily

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 6d

An early start this morning brought me to Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire. Church open 9-1 weekdays

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 6d

This door at Eastwood church in Essex dates from about 1150, which is extremely rare. The hinge has an inscription which (more or less) says ‘blessings on those who come and go’.

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 8d

Wickhambreux, Kent, St Andrew. Nineteenth century stencilling and early twentieth century Art and Crafts glass.

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Reposted by John Vigar

Pickwick The Dodo @lesleyhustler.bsky.social · 9d

Mum is in a side room with a bathroom. I love the emergency button in there, the nurse is like something from a carry on film.

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 9d

Fourteenth century ‘Kentish Tracery’ at Chartham near Canterbury.

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 9d

Thanks. Typo

John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 9d

A busy week of planning for next weekend when I’m leading a party of guests around 18 churches in southern Hampshire. Saxon to Twentieth Century and small to massive. Image is Warnford. April 2026 tour to the Peak District now booking

John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 10d

For #stainedglassSunday a favourite window by C G Gray of Cambridge 1928 at Winterbourne Bassett, Wiltshire

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John Vigar @johnevigar.bsky.social · 11d

Today is the Feast Day of St Francis. Here is a relief in the Carmo Monastery, Lisbon depicting scenes from his life 1382

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