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A walk from Baldock to Royston
on a summer's day - part 3 |
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The name Therfield is a variation of
Tharfield and anciently Şurreweld. It is a theophoric placename
referring to Thunor, and either means 'Thunor's Field' or 'Thunor's High place",
from the same Germanic root that gives 'veldt'. It was inhabited long before the
Anglo Saxons came, as the Icknield Way runs through the village, and Neolithic
barrows have been found on Therfield Heath. The Nature Reserve of Therfield
Heath lies a mile to the north of the village. From here on a clear day it is
possible to see the Cathedral of Ely, over twenty miles to the north. The
village is well worth a visit with lovely rural countryside, friendly people and
plenty of good walks. In Therfield the Church of St Mary the Virgin has stood
the test of time. The most recent building was completed in 1878 and it replaced
the church that had existed since the 13th Century which fell into such
disrepair that it was in danger of collapsing. When it was replaced, the
windows, pulpit and font were removed from the old church and built into the new
structure. The tower contains six bells dating from 1597, 1608, 1626, 1656, 1689
with the most recent from 1707. For years these bells were not used and worship
services were marked by the ringing of a bell dated 1862 that hung from a tree
in a nearby field. The east window is by John Lawson and is dated 1961. The main
image depicts Jesus' resurrection and the stunned soldiers who had been guarding
the tomb. |
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The exterior and beautiful interior
of the Church of St Mary, Therfield,
Hertfordshire. |
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The Fox and the Duck on Therfield
Common, Hertfordshire and a well-earned Suffolk cider. |
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Views of the last section of the
walk along the bridleway between Therfield and Royston, on the approach
to Therfield Heath. |
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Distinctive hedgerow along the
bridleway between Therfield and Royston. |
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View back towards Therfield along
the bridleway, which I have also cycled. |
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Views east of the countryside, in
the direction of the A10, just south of Royston. |
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A hedgerow near Therfield Heath, the
ground dry and hardened by lack of rain in the spring of 2011. |
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View down Baldock Road into the town
of Royston, The Jockey pub on the left |
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Upper King Street, Royston. |
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Royston's St John the Baptist Church on Melbourn
Street. |
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