Bledington is nestled in the Evenlode valley in the central Cotswolds, a few miles away from Stow on the Wold. On the village green, indeed dominating the lovely space with its river running through, spanned by narrow wooden footbridges.

The village of Bledington has led a chequered history. It was never really a good area to raise sheep, the great staple of the Cotswold’s wealth, Its land flooded too often, making cereals tricky, so the people of this little village lived life pretty hand to mouth.

At the end of the 19th century the villagers decided to try making cider and planted orchards everywhere, but it wasn’t a success, and whilst a lot of the trees are still around, for years the fruit was largely used to feed animals. After the second world war a pickle factory opened in Bledington; that lasted hardly any time at all.

The church is also remarkable. The memorable North wall of the nave, with its two tiers of magnificent windows with contemporary glass which we saw from the outside, is, from inside, just breathtaking.

When the tower was raised in the late 15th century the most skilful stonemasons in the country must have been available to them. The arch arrangement that holds up the tower is nothing short of brilliant.

It’s probable that at the same time the small unusual bellcot above the chancel arch was moved from the west gable to where, unusually, it now provides a sanctus bell, rung from the west wall of the chancel.