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Church of St Mary, Fawley
Church of St Mary, Old Swinford
Church of St Mary, Haversham
Church of St Mary, Rickinghall
Church of St Mary, Fairford
Church of St Mary of Pity, Burgate
Church of St Mary, Felmersham
Church of St Mary, Somerleyton
Me, on a bridge over the Oxford canal
Church of St Mary, Brome
Church of St Mary, Oakley
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Northrepps
Church of St Mary, Burford
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Elsing
Church of St Mary, East Ruston
Church of St Mary the Virgin, South Darley
Me, in a tree at the Church of St Mary, Swerford
Church of St Mary, Bungay
Church of St Mary, West Somerton
Me, on the narrowboat 'Sculptor' at Stoke Bruerne
Church of St Mary, Gainford
Church of St Mary, Marston-on-Dove
Church of St Mary, Shipton Solers
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Stevington
Church of St Mary, Tivetshall St Mary

Big Ted Online

Travels of a Bear (with splendid fur!)

Staffordshire frolics

Added on 09 May 2025

Dear Reader,

You may have noticed that I've called this news item "Staffordshire frolics". Well, I was s’posed to be going on a trip to Staffordshire, but then I find myself sitting in a sunny spot on the gate outside a church in Warwickshire - still, could be worse, it could be raining! I also visited St Mary’s churches in Derbyshire and Staffordshire (hurrah, finally!).

Big Ted sitting on poppiesThen, while my associates were out visiting a boring National Trust property [actually Calke Abbey is a very interesting place to visit, Big Ted], they decided to go “off piste” (i.e. they found another St Mary’s church that wasn’t on my list of churches to visit but “just happens to be nearby”). And (wait for it…) it’s not even in Staffordshire - it’s in Leicestershire! Grrr.

(If you're confused by the picture of me with the poppies, I was on holiday while the country was commemorating 80 years since VE day. There were poppies and flags all over the place.)

So, the total is eight St Mary’s churches (three were open), in four counties, in five days - it must be a record! I hope my next holiday will be better organised!

I did get in a few snoozes, but the cottage we were staying in was a bit too cold for a serious sleep. I was thankful for my splendid fur and my cosy cardigan.

Love, Big Ted

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