I’ve been to Bradford-Upon-Avon a few times. Strangely this visit was the first time I’ve been into the town proper. I’ve caught the train in and out to Bristol from here, I’ve also walked both to and from Bath along the tow path from here, but both of those things don’t require going into the centre. On this day, I returned to it from Bristol by train again, but today I was staying locally so didn’t have a drive in front of me, and the weather was good. Today was the day!
Above is Abbey Mill, built in 1875, once a billet for soldiers in the first world war, now retirement apartment’s for the over 55’s. Below is the “town bridge” built about the 17th century, perhaps widened then from an older bridge. It’s most noted for once having a small chapel on it, but that was later adapted to be an overnight lock-up for drunk and disorderly people for the night!
Bradford’s jewel in the crown must be the Saxon Church of St Laurence however. It may have been founded by Saint Aldhelm in 705, might have been a temporary burial place if Edward the Martyr, or the whole thing could have been built between 960 and 1050 ad – either way it’s old and Saxon. How do you “lose” a church? Well, in this case it was built onto and into, so various bit’s over time became a house, school and factory, and was re-discovered by the anglican priest William Jones is 1856. It appears that being “incorporated” into other building protected it! It is one of the oldest churches in the UK, and still used for religious services, but not regularly.
I had two cameras on the go – both Canon EOS 30’s. One housed a roll of Ilford HP5, rated at box speed and developed in D23, the other body had a roll of Portra 400.
S.H.O.U.T. 