Summer Walk No 3, Bothal & St Andrews Church - Tuesday 1st July 2025.
On Tuesday 1st July 2025, the car park at Bothal Sawmill was the start point for visit Number Three on the summer
programme. Sixteen members met and parked as we set off to walk the short distance to the tiny hamlet of Bothal.
Access had been gained to the medieval church of St Andrew and the aim of the evening was to have a short walk
and view this beautiful Grade I listed building.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Church Warden Lynn Gibson, who shared a brief history of the building and
highlighted its main features. We were then free to photograph anything we liked, and members of our group were
soon scattered around, discovering hidden details and recording unique aspects of the church.
The Ogle Tomb is one of the outstanding features. It is made from alabaster, depicting two figures: Ralph, Lord
Ogle, a notable Tudor courtier (died 1513) and his wife Lady Margaret Gascoigne. Lord Ralph was charged with
the task of accompanying Princess Margaret Tudor to Scotland in 1503 for her wedding to King James IV. Four
carved stone heads above the pillars of the north arcade depict the ordering of medieval society: from west to
east, a peasant's wife, a peasant, a king and a bishop and date to about 1200.
The church organ was installed in 1892 by Harrison & Harrison of Durham; the church door is believed to be much
older, with inscriptions dated 1576. Some of the windows in the north and south aisles contain a fine collection of
13th and 15th century medieval stained glass. The wooden communion rail dates back to the early 1600s, and the
unusual bell cote contains three bells, one of which is dated 1615.
Members enjoyed refreshments and, while dodging the rain showers, also explored the exterior of the building. They
took photographs of the headstones in the churchyard before returning to our starting point. We extend our thanks
to the Area Dean, Chris Groocock, for allowing access outside of regular hours and to Lynn Gibson for giving up her
time to support Morpeth Camera Club.
Davy.
programme. Sixteen members met and parked as we set off to walk the short distance to the tiny hamlet of Bothal.
Access had been gained to the medieval church of St Andrew and the aim of the evening was to have a short walk
and view this beautiful Grade I listed building.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Church Warden Lynn Gibson, who shared a brief history of the building and
highlighted its main features. We were then free to photograph anything we liked, and members of our group were
soon scattered around, discovering hidden details and recording unique aspects of the church.
The Ogle Tomb is one of the outstanding features. It is made from alabaster, depicting two figures: Ralph, Lord
Ogle, a notable Tudor courtier (died 1513) and his wife Lady Margaret Gascoigne. Lord Ralph was charged with
the task of accompanying Princess Margaret Tudor to Scotland in 1503 for her wedding to King James IV. Four
carved stone heads above the pillars of the north arcade depict the ordering of medieval society: from west to
east, a peasant's wife, a peasant, a king and a bishop and date to about 1200.
The church organ was installed in 1892 by Harrison & Harrison of Durham; the church door is believed to be much
older, with inscriptions dated 1576. Some of the windows in the north and south aisles contain a fine collection of
13th and 15th century medieval stained glass. The wooden communion rail dates back to the early 1600s, and the
unusual bell cote contains three bells, one of which is dated 1615.
Members enjoyed refreshments and, while dodging the rain showers, also explored the exterior of the building. They
took photographs of the headstones in the churchyard before returning to our starting point. We extend our thanks
to the Area Dean, Chris Groocock, for allowing access outside of regular hours and to Lynn Gibson for giving up her
time to support Morpeth Camera Club.
Davy.