May 2004
The cast for the play "If Stone Could Talk" put on by Friends of St. Andrew's Church at the Heritage weekend, which included open gardens, an exhibition in the Church, and a bar-b-q. The event raised nearly £3000.
Back row: Nigel Townsend (Master Builder), Bill Blowfield (Father John Martin), Darren Sibley (Young Sir John Swinford), Cherill Hammond (Tourist), Tracey Coldwell (Lady Joan Swinford), Sam Hammond (Tourist), Rev. Brian Lee (Ghost of Sir John Swinford), Sue Laste (Lady in Waiting), Daniel Mattin (Roger Chambers), Ellie Tee (Elizabeth Swinford), Jean Sutch (Lady in Waiting), Roger Scanlan (Walter Bolekek).
Front row: Enid Jarvis (Parishioner), Louise Fletcher (Ralph, Builder's apprentice), Millie Tee (Tourist), Anna Smith (William, Builder's apprentice), Gemma Tee (Tourist), Amy Hewitt (Lady in Waiting), Joan Shaw (Goody Chambers), Adam Snedker (Tourist), Diana Wright (Lady in Waiting).
A mediaeval story concerns a Spratton man, Walter Bolekek, a self-confessed thief. Rather than be put to death for his crimes, in 1329 he sought sanctuary in Spratton church. Here he was safe for 40 days, according to the law at the time. He then took an oath to leave the country forever. Leaving the church in sackcloth, bare-footed and with a wooden cross in his hands, he made his way to the nearest port. Constables supervised him every step of the way and he had to take the first ship that sailed. Walter left behind a small number of goods and chattels, which the men of Spratton divided up amongst themselves. The Abbot of St. James took over his small piece of land and was promptly fined 40 pence for so doing! The law of sanctuary for those accused of crimes was not abolished until 1623.
Image Reference: 1235
Related Searches: Church | Events | Friends of St. Andrews now St. Andrews Heritage Society | Swinford Sir John and family | 2000
