tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861480576960760833.post3931963253512664599..comments2024-03-28T11:52:35.171+00:00Comments on Woolgathering in North East England: Michael Sadgrove's Blog: In Haydon Old Church: an ancient simplicity and holinessAquiloniushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15098649175728796819noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861480576960760833.post-38656558241465980412016-02-02T07:10:38.122+00:002016-02-02T07:10:38.122+00:00Having never visited there, I can still agree with...Having never visited there, I can still agree with the sentiments expressed. There are places that feel Holy, just by being there. In my last parish, three of the five churches were small, rural churches with history dating back to before the Normans - and they just silently through the worn paths and flagstones, worn down by the passage of generation up generation of the faithful, the monuments, windows and rediscovered wall paintings after centuries of white wash shout about God's action in the lives of those who lived and worked the land in those places over the centuries. Nowadays, off course, many local families can no longer afford to live in the villages of their ancesters, as incomers can afford to pay high prices for rural peace and quiet and convert former farm cottages into desirable residences by knocking them together. It's sad to see people being forced out of the places where their families have lived for generations by people coming in from outside.<br /><br />Not all incomers are bad. Many settle in and become part of the community and do good things, but many others are transient, commuters, who contribute little to the life and health of the villages.UKViewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18114944341930758335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861480576960760833.post-51371135924888779532016-02-01T21:59:05.523+00:002016-02-01T21:59:05.523+00:00A treasure indeed. I know what you mean about thin...A treasure indeed. I know what you mean about thin places. Another isolated church with the same qualities is the shrine church at Pennant Melangell in North Wales.Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861480576960760833.post-65886876961599813412016-01-31T20:33:06.870+00:002016-01-31T20:33:06.870+00:00Having recently moved away from this area, I am ve...Having recently moved away from this area, I am very sorry we never found this church.Athenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08497065436976563532noreply@blogger.com