Nominal: 875.5 Hz Weight: 896 lbs Diameter: 36.25" Bell 1 of 3
Founded by William Rufford
Dove Bell ID: 3079 Tower ID: 11123 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Hardmead: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: SP 935 476
The church is built of rubble with leaded roof-coverings, except for the chancel which has a tiled roof. The plain battlemented west tower is of three stages. The belfry windows are of two lights with a polygonal shaft between, and a trefoil in plate tracery. A slight set-off above the windows of the bell chamber shows that the tower was slightly heightened when the embattled parapet was added in the 15th century. The nave clerestory, which also has an embattled parapet, was added at the same time.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave and aisles, chancel, south porch and west tower.
Description of Archaeology and History
The tower is of mid-15th century date, the south aisle and arcade of the late 13th century, the north aisle and arcade of the early 14th. There were a number of Victorian restorations. The Ecclesiastical Topography of 1850 describes the chancel as "modern". In 1861 the church was reopened after an economicalrestoration by David Brandon. The local architect, E. Swinfer Harris, is also said to have carried out some work in the church, but the nature of this work is not certain.
Exterior Description
The church is built of rubble with leaded roof-coverings, except for the chancel which has a tiled roof. The plain battlemented west tower is of three stages. The belfry windows are of two lights with a polygonal shaft between, and a trefoil in plate tracery. A slight set-off above the windows of the bell chamber shows that the tower was slightly heightened when the embattled parapet was added in the 15th century. The nave clerestory, which also has an embattled parapet, was added at the same time. The late 14th century south porch has a continuously moulded outer entrance and is lighted from each side wall by a window of two trefoiled lights with quatrefoiltracery in a two-centred head. Evidence of the existence of a church here in the 12th century is given by fragments of a font of that date fixed in the wall on either side of the south doorway.
Interior
Interior Description
The nave arcade is of two bays with two-centred arches of two. chamfered orders supportedby a central pier of quatrefoil plan with responds. The north and south arcades are of the same pattern, though of different dates. Above the east, respond of the south arcade is the upper doorway of the rood stairs, the lower door is now blocked. In the east wall of the north aisle is an early 14th century window of two trefoiled lights with quatrefoil tracery in a two-centred head. The two windows of the north wall are insertions of about 1400: both are of two lights, but the western window is smaller than the eastern and the lights have ogee, not trefoil, heads. There is a blocked north doorway in this wall dating from c1420. The windows of the south aisle, which have escaped renewal, are of the early 15th century. At the south-east is a 14th century piscina with a basin of sexfoil form, the projecting portion of which has been cut away. The roofs of the nave, south aisle and chancel are modern, with some old timber re-used, but the roof of the north aisle is of late 15th century date; it is of the lean-to type, and is supported by principals alternately straight and cambered, having carved bosses at their intersections with the purlins. The 14th century chancel arch is two-centred and of two chamfered orders dying into the side walls. The east window has relatively modern three-light tracery, though some of the old stones have been used in the rear— arch. There are two windows in each side wall; the eastern windows have been almost entirely renewed, but those at the west end are substantially original. Each is of two trefoiled lights with leaf tracery in the head, the design of the tracery being very similar to that of the south aisle windows of the church at Haversham, Bucks. Between the windows of the south wall is a restored 14th century doorway.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
15thCentury
With elaborate tracery, much re-cut.
Pew (object)
15th Century
9 seats with buttressed uprights and moulded top rails.
Organ (object)
A free-standing, single manual organ with a pretty late-Georgian Gothick case.
Bells
Weight: 588 lbs Diameter: 29.5" Bell 2 of 3
Founded by Robert Chamberlain
Dove Bell ID: 23560 Tower ID: 11123 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 977.5 Hz Weight: 812 lbs Diameter: 35" Bell 3 of 3
Founded by (unidentified)
Dove Bell ID: 23561 Tower ID: 11123 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 935 476
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Submit a change
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