{"id":623,"date":"2026-08-07T13:59:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T12:59:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bradfieldhistoricalsociety.org\/?p=623"},"modified":"2026-08-07T13:59:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T12:59:24","slug":"summer-outing-to-aldworth-st-marys-church-and-the-aldworth-giants-and-the-aldworth-millennium-tapestry-on-15-july-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bradfieldhistoricalsociety.org\/?p=623","title":{"rendered":"Summer outing to Aldworth – St Mary\u2019s Church and the Aldworth Giants and the Aldworth Millennium Tapestry on 15 July 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bradfield Historical society<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer outing to Aldworth – St Mary\u2019s Church and the Aldworth Giants and the Aldworth Millennium Tapestry on 15 July 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BHS summer outing was a resounding success, offering a memorable exploration of local heritage just a short distance from home.  The excursion for 48 of the BHS members to St Mary\u2019s Church at Aldworth provided an unforgettable afternoon filled with medieval history, stunning local craftsmanship, and excellent company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day’s itinerary seamlessly blended ancient legend with modern commemoration, well-received by all attendees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our sincere thanks to our hosts and speakers, Dr Christopher Paterson and Sarah Thomas whose informative and thoroughly enjoyable talks about the history of the church, the de la Beche Giants and the superb Aldworth Tapestry provided us with much to reflect upon in coming days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Review of the Summer Outing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

St Mary\u2019s Church, the tranquil home of the de la Beche Giants and the Aldworth Tapestry, is a place of rich history at the heart of the community and village.  The site is well located close to the ancient trading route of the Ridgeway and Grimm\u2019s Ditch and the church has been a place of worship for over 850 years.  To the south end of the churchyard is the ancient yew tree that is reputed to be over 1000 years old.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

St Mary\u2019s is a church worth a visit, with its oblong tower and Norman font, the light and welcoming chancel, nave and south aisle, the attractive windows and the magnificent canopies over the Giants.  It is a church that has been transformed over the centuries to meet the needs of the community and reflects the toll of the World Wars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Christopher Paterson introduced BHS members to the legendary Aldworth Giants.  The nine imposing 14th-century stone effigies commemorating the de la Beche family were vividly detailed with speculation on the lives of these medieval knights, such as Sir Philip, the towering valet to Edward II.  Unfortunately, the statues suffered desecration under Cromwell\u2019s forces centuries later, but fascinating details of the Giants are to be found in the History and Guide Book at St Mary\u2019s Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shifting focus from stone to wool, BHS members thoroughly enjoyed Sarah Thomas\u2019s description of the development and sewing of the spectacular Aldworth Millennium Tapestry.  This intricate work of community art beautifully mirrors the village’s long history and is a significant achievement of organisation and community spirit.  Members took great pleasure in identifying its hidden historical nods, from local wartime folklore to the depiction of the 1999 partial solar eclipse over the downs and the visit by the Princess Royal by helicopter.  A true work of art reflecting the history of a rural village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The afternoon visit finished with tea and delicious cakes in the shade of trees in the churchyard, provided by volunteer ladies of St Mary\u2019s Church. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gordon Patterson thanked all those involved who had made this summer outing such an informative and delightful event and confirmed that just under \u00a3450 had been donated to St Mary\u2019s Church Renovation Fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

End<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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