NORFOLK VILLAGE CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23690, 23 December 1938, Page 11

NORFOLK VILLAGE CHURCH

RESTORATION OF MONUMENT (From Our Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, Nov. 24. A recumbent monument to Lord Orford in the village church at Wickmere, Norfolk, was dedicated yesterday by the Bishop of Norwich. The monument takes the form of an effigy in earl’s robes. On the base, besides a large coat of arms and inscriptions, are the arms of heiresses quartered with the Walpole arms and the arms of distinguished forbears. The monument is carved in Hopton Wood stone, an English marble from Derbyshire, and is the work of Mr Esmond Burton.

Lady Orford. in addition to erecting the monument, has provided for re-

storation of the fabric of the church, which should prevent further decay for many years. External stonework has been renewed, and imperishable metal rods have been built into thfe structure. The walls have been cleared of ivy, and a concrete base has been formed to prevent growth of vegetation. The fifteenth-century flint and stone parapet to the earlier round tower, which was in a dangerous condition, has been rebuilt. The windows in the tower were being pushed outwards by the old timber bell cages, which were seriously decayed, and two of these cages have been removed. The pantiles of the chancel roof have been relaid, and the lead roofing of the south aisle has been made secure. A number of improvements have been made in .the interior of the church. The work has been carried out by Messrs E. Bowman and Sons under the direction of Mr G. M. Kingsford, A.R.1.8.A., in collaboration with Mr Burton.

Lady Orford and Lady Anne Walpole, who now live at Torrington, South Devon, expect to leave fo.r New Zealand next year.