Snowdrops spiritual

A country churchyard is possibly the one of the best places to go looking for snowdrops. I happened to mention to a friend that I was seeking to find some within reasonable lockdown travelling distance. Consequently, we arranged to meet for a pleasant walk over the other side of Bradford, around Tong village. The churchyard didn't disappoint, having a rather lovely display of the flowers around the mossy old gravestones. Snowdrops are aptly named, aren't they? From a distance the drifts do look like lying snow.

St James' Church, Tong, dates from 1727, though evidence of earlier Saxon and Norman churches have been found on the site. It was built by local landowner Sir George Tempest for his estate village and survives largely unchanged within and without. Of course, the church was closed but I enjoyed exploring the grounds, which have been developed into a Spiritual Garden for quiet contemplation. There is a progressive walk around the outside of the church through Celtic style prayer circles of stone engraved with quotes. There are several wooden benches, also carved with Bible quotes, set among some carefully considered planting. It's affiliated with the Quiet Gardens Trust. Despite the strong wind and dull skies, it still felt a very peaceful place to linger. 

It's quite amusing to note, from a monument close to the church door, that one of the church's vicars was in ministry there for 53 years! He apparently lived in a grand vicarage along the lane, was father to 13 children and refused offers of a Bishopric, no doubt deciding he was better off in a very small parish with relatively few demands. Even now, Tong village looks like a lovely place to live, set among fields and with many attractive and historic properties lining the main street. The village stocks (in front of the church, see above) don't look to have been used lately!