Wholistic Arts

To Checkley to see saxon cross and font. The church was closed so unable to see font. Also planned to go to Farley but it looks as though this is part of Alton Towers. Found the three saxon crosses leading to entrance to church. Checked for leyline, it ran N-S. Saxon crosses obviously had been moved but were precisely placed on East side of ley. This leyline is probably the one I found on hedgedruid.co.uk website. It shows various sites on the leyline of which Farley and Checkley are first sites emanating from Arbor Low (The South-Western Ley) finishing the mouth of the river Erme. I later realised I had visited before in 2018 for the Autumn Equinox but at that time did not realise the connection with Arbor Low.

Started on track along river, monsal valley, past viaduct. Then followed track up hill. Up to Hobbs House. Continued past but very heavy going on scree. Felt trapped i.e. kept slipping but going back even more treacherous! Persevered. Past scree. Then terraine difficult with brambles, thorns and holes. Then in front a fence! So decided to follow it up the hill. Clinged on to the fence, very heavy going, could barely pull myself up (a bit at a time) amongst foliage. Also very steep. Estimated 100 posts at least about 10ft apart. Slid round past last tree and then found another fence i.e. got to the corner of fence Decided to try to go over wall (everything trembling because of the strain) but made it! Sheep land. Photo of bit I thought might be part of it but at this point so exhausted couldn't think about exploring further. So headed back, normal'ish terraine. After a few long fields came to trail. Monsal Dale to Ashford. Got to car drained. Ate. Then to Greater Longstone to vi

 ROCHE ABBEY...set off at 11ish. R made me flask and sarnies, then remembered Wimpy! After Roche found Wimpy in a bowling alley, no international tho', just burgers. At Roche bought ticket £6.20 and book, probably already have it! No sign of rods crossing, then, at two largest buildings left found N-S leyline. Dropped a rod, retraced my steps, found. Excellent feeling about the place. Started in 12th century then rejigged later by Capability Brown. Well laid out. Could feel as though some stone had not been moved. Nice water moat...had been there as a source for the monks.." Roche Abbey, founded in 1147 as a monastery of the Cistercian order, is most notable for the remains of its early Gothic church and for its early 13th-century great gatehouse. At its peak, about 1175, Roche had about 50 monks and 100 lay brothers and servants. The monastery was suppressed in 1538 – an event recorded in remarkable detail by a local clergyman – and many of the buildings were dismantled. Two

Vernal Equinox...went to Repton. Visited St Wystans church. Specifically to visit the crypt again. R hadn't been before. Cold, eerie place but well worth visiting. It is where the Saxon Kings were buried. The Vikings also came to Repton, they probably used the church as a wintering place. 300 bodies have been excavated here. Also, in nearby Heath Wood burials of over 50 mounds for funerals of the Great Heathen Army. Ivar the Boneless was supposed to be buried here. He wanted to be buried where he would have to be walked over. Supposedly, William the Conquerer new of his curse. So, in order for him to be King he came to Repton, dug up the body and had it cremated. In the entrance to the church are the remains of Saxon crosses from the 7th century. Amazing place. The archway shown below is the remains of the gateway arch to the 12th century Old Priory This ancient cross was the focus of the medieval village and it remains an easily recognisable symbol of Repto

Ventured to Stapleford, to an Anglo-Saxon high cross dating from the eleventh century which is now located in the churchyard of St Helen's in Nottnghamshire, England. It is Grade I listed and also a scheduled ancient monument. 'Stapleford' could mean a crossing near a post, maybe this cross. I checked my rods and they unusually flowed out from its centre. Then I found a leyline parallel to the road just touching the western edge of the cross in a N-S direction. Apparently the cross has been moved a number of times but it makes sense to think it is back near to where it belonged. The cross was said by Pevsner to be "by far the most important pre-conquest monument in Notts". Excellent carvings still showing, a real find.

Autumn Equinox (MABON)...Stoke Flat Stone Circle (Froggatt Edge) and nearby cairn. Eyam (Saxon Cross). Mompesson Well.  Drove through Matlock and past Chatsworth House. Then parked on a layby and walked about a mile to the stone circle. I had read that someone had found two leylines, which I confirmed this to be N-S and EW. A small simple circle with not much left but a good atmosphere next to a busy track. Walked on  further to a cairn which had the same leyline structure i.e. two and used big boulders. Then ventured on to Eyam. The village was buzzing, peak district in late summer, even though schools are back. Found the Saxon Cross straight away, in the churchyard. What an amazing cross in very good condition.  On to Mompesson Well. Just on the edge of the village. Apparently, this is where outsiders left food for the villagers when they were isolated and named after the vicar whose decisive action quarantined the village during the plague. A great day out, no sun but the weather go

Our first proper day out since first covid19 lockdown 23/03/2020. Looked around the ruins of Beauvale Priory. Had a pleasant feel about it even though the plaque showed two martyrs from the reformation. I checked with the dowsing rods and unusually could not find a leyline because everywhere I went the rods crossed. So the whole site is either sacred or right on top of the water table. We then went for tea in the gatehouse tearooms. Had a typical tea for two. Both really enjoyed the whole experience. "The priory was founded in 1343 by Nicholas de Cantelupe (d.1355), in honour of the Blessed Trinity. It was originally built to be home to a prior and twelve monks and was the third of nine houses of the Carthusian order established in England"

At the entrance was a plaque stating that the church is dedicated to the Anglo-Saxon Saint St. Winifred  and that it was gifted to the medieval Knights Hospitallers in 1165.  What led me to the church was that a “Nationally significant” effigy had been found in the church. A 650  years old sculpture had been found while work was being done. The work using Heritage Fund was to  create a community space inside while the church outside was to remain the same. The effigy’s head is  cradled by angels with a dog at its feet. It may be the priest John de Belton who died in 1350. It is the earliest known alabaster effigy of a priest and has now been encased in protective glass. After  tests on the medieval paintwork, it was found to be the oldest in existence with pure gold and samples  of azurite, red, green and black paint. I was also interested in the “Barrow Camera”. A camera in this case is "A residence used during short  visits by an official and attendants of the Knights Hospitalle

COVID AGAIN! National Lockdown over Christmas period and beyond. “GOV.UK CORONAVIRUS ALERT New rules in force now: you must stay at home. More info & exemptions at gov.uk/coronavirus Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives

Equinox trip. GPS took us to the walking entrance on Bickerton Hill. Asked man with map, it looked miles away! I couldn't get internet on my phones x2 (sim x3). So headed into Chester for signal! Veered off to Zoo. Ate in car par, caravan coffee. Tried Rs phone, success (mine still no go!). Found map online and directions. So headed back to NT car park at Bickerton. R stayed in car, I walked at least 3 miles! Got to 'kitty'...views amazing. From map, realised I taken wrong turning. Young lady with baby in papoose asked me...are you lost. Explained I was looking for Maiden Castle. She pointed...down hill then back up steps. Nearly given up when saw steps. Then asked again. Just after the lady with baby came, said follow me. She shot off, barely kept up! Finally got there. Amazing Spectacular views. First hillfort I'd seen with semi-circle. Other half was sheer drop. Found leyline running E-W through it. Weather glorious. Well worth the trip, eventually! Back to Raye.

The Holy Well in King's Newton...... The well has been fully restored in the 80's. Even so I still felt a connection. The dowsing rods crossed all over the sight, so I felt the cool clear water energy. The only hint of a leyline was on the road above running N-S.   Many times I have wanted to see the Holy Well but always thought it was on the road by the cross. It is on the mini roundabout by where the Pack Horse pub was. There is a small sign but in all these years I never noticed it!  Although there were many people about after Covid19 lockdown, I was there on my own. Extracted from (see below) (Photos below) https://insearchofholywellsandhealingsprings.com/source-first-series-contents/the-holy-well-at-kings-newton-derbyshire/ "King’s Newton is a hamlet within the parish of Melbourne, Derbyshire. It is sited on an east-west ridgeway above the alluvial flood plain of the river Trent. To the west of the hamlet, an old trackway descends the hill to cross the river at Swarke

Just started self-isolation, then several days later, 23rd March 2020, all UK in lockdown. So narrowly missed trip (first since 2002!) “GOV.UK CORONAVIRUS ALERT New rules in force now: you must stay at home. More info & exemptions at gov.uk/coronavirus Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.”

Set out for Repton on solstice trip. Ann and myself got pole position outside and entered the church. Quite a few residents were very friendly and looked after us.  They showed us down to the crypt. Although this was quite small (10' x 12' ish) with four amazing pillars it still felt awesome. Apparently, the vikings (or Saxons?), used to place the whole body in the crypt. Then when all the flesh had gone they stored the bones together. The crypt was entered on the left hand side, then pilgrims would view the crypt of at least three anglo saxon kings of mercia. Then out from underneath the altar to emerge on the right hand side. After looking round inside the church we visited Repton school. They let us roam loose because no school children were there over the holiday. Took a look at the old Priory. Really nice looking building.  The original school was founded in 1557. The school expanded and has its own chapel and now occupies mos

Got onto A50, past Uttoxeter. Then near to Monkey forest. Stopped at entrance to another forest. Parked up, then walked and walked around hill fort, Bury Bank. Lots of ferns and trees with tractor/forestry cut out path circling around hill top. I expected to see a clearing but even at the highest point it was covered in trees and fern. There were tiny glimpses of amazing views but not very clear because of trees. Checked the Dowsing Rods. They crossed all the time but with constant mini 'tugs' (never happened before so need to research why). The whole place appears to have earth energy....Then went to Barleston. There is a new church since 1980, but I eventually found the old church. It was past the entrance to Wedgewood visitor centre. Saw Barleston Hall, now derelict and the old Church was next to it. Really beautiful, even tough not used anymore and is boarded up. Checked the tower, still standing, probably from 12th century. Churchyard still in tact, I really hope they pre

Ventured off to investigate the church at Ticknall. The door to the church was open so we decided to go inside first. There is an effigy on the North wall considered to be of John Francis of Osmaston and Ticknall in the reign of Edward III. In the arched recess of the South wall is a stone figure dressed as a civilian lawyer thought to be William Francis, the re-founder of the original church in 1325. We both felt the church has positive vibes which reminded us of a similar church we had visited nearby at Twyford. Outside I checked the area using dowsing rods. For the first time wherever I went the rods crossed. To me this indicated a complete sacred site. However, I was determined to find a ley line. At last, the road leading up to the church was on a leyline. Ruins of the 14th century church dedicated to Thomas a Becket are in the churchyard. The two remaining parts appear to be at the East and the West which was probably the length of this church. Beautiful and charismatic rem

Raye and myself set off on our Equinox journey to Codnor Castle. We got to Codnor car park on a bright sunny day at 11:30 and found the signpost to Codnor Castle on the other side of the road. It was quite a long walk along muddy fields, probably for about a mile. The site was amazing, a great ruin with rich history (see below). I got my dowsing rods and found a leyline running along the full area of the enclosure where some of the ruin has been fenced off by the 'new' heritage trust. From the sun I think it runs N-S but will check later on the map. About 10years ago I tried to get there but because it was on private land it was difficult to gain access but now since the charity has taken over it is now more accessible. Possibly due to nearby farm now being derelict. What a fantastic site, we were both very pleased with our trip. An extract on the history of this site from www.codnorcastle.co.uk... Situated on a ridge overlooking the Erewash Valley in Derbyshire, Codn

Then went to Rufford Abbey. Ruins from 12th century. Impressive. Abbey was turned into a country house and gardens. RODS...crossed everywhere inside ruins. Found leyline outside, from front to back adjacent to restaurant (see foto).

Went to Checkley to view three Saxon crossed in the churchyard. I found the following information from the website    http://www.visitinghistoryinstaffordshire.com/checkleyparishchurch.asp which summed up my day. My personal addition is that of Leylines. I took my rods and found one, 23 paces as usual in width heading directly North South through the church. The crosses were diectly on Western edge of the Leyline. I too wish I could have explored the inside as the following: ST MARY AND ALL SAINTS CHURCH, CHECKLEY ‘Checkley, a small village which possess the finest church in the north of the County of Staffordshire.’  So said Charles Masefield, poet and local historian in his book ‘Staffordshire’ first printed in 1910.  (Sadly Charles Masefield died in 1917 in the First World War). He went on to say ‘the church is known as the Mother church of all the parishes for some miles and indeed St Mary and All Saint is one of the finest in the area and can also lay claim to

Decided to go to Ashbourne by bus for this adventure. Walked to St Oswalds church and checked out remains of a Saxon Cross and a bronze plaque from 1241. The brass plate is to commemorate the dedication of the church on 24 April 1241 by Hugh de Pateshull , Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. The inscription by the plaque shows that the church was started in the early 1200s. # Another church with an association to a poet. Quote from Wikipedia... Cultural associations St Oswald's bells inspired lines in Lalla Rookh by Thomas Moore , who lived in the area for four years: [16] Those evening bells! Those evening bells! How many a tale their music tells Of youth and home and that sweet time When last I heard their soothing chime. Those joyous hours are passed away: And many a heart that then was gay Within the tomb now darkly dwells And hears no more those evening bells. And so 'twill be when I am gone: That tuneful peal will still ring on While ot

I went to Aslockton looking for a motte and bailey. I found that this village is where Thomas Cramnar was born. He was Archbishop after Wolsley and was executed by Mary Tudor. The plackard said the mound was EITHER a garden mound OR a motte and bailey. I think it has to be both. It felt 'right' that it was used as a castle and then hundreds of years later used as part of the Cramnar estate's garden. Especially since I foung a leyline from the road running thru' past the mound to the fishponds. These were two rectangular ditches that were used for rearing fish in 15thC,  common practice at that time. I managed to get on top of mound by climbing a tree to get over fence. Farmers again! Driving near to Cropwell Bishop, onto the New Road, in the dip, I saw a church on the hill in the distance. I noticed I could see straight through the windows, it may be ruin? So I went closer and walked up to it. I found a fantastic ruined church (Colston Bassett). It loo