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Page 1 of 4 Megan Westley meets a historic village facing some changes We all thought summer was a washout, and to a certain extent it was, but the surprise appearance of about a week (so far) of sunny days in late September has appeased the bad tempers of many. It is on one of these days that I am to head over to Budock Water and it seems the heavens, or indeed the sun in any case, are shining on my expedition. After a charming detour around the back roads of Helford - not necessarily an intentional one, but never mind, it’s a nice day – I arrive at St Budock’s Parish Church. Tucked away down a tree-lined road that is positively picturesque with the sun glowing through the leaves, it is a pleasing sight to behold. Named after St Budoc, the church is apparently the oldest in Cornwall, with parts of the present building dating back to 1250. Going further back than this, the congregating of a Christian community on this spot can be traced to 471AD. So steeped in history is the church that it is hard to know where to begin. .jpg) A picturesque view of Budock Water. One of the most interesting features of St Budock’s is its screen, which dates back to the 16th-century and depicts prophets, apostles and female martyrs. There is a theory that the screen started life in the chapel of Portugese merchantmen off the rocks of Gunwalloe, though this has never been authenticated. While only a bottom section is now present, there was once an upper part to it, probably removed due to poor condition in Victorian times. Scenes from the life of St Budoc are painted on panels in the south transept, and his historical presence seems great and proud in this popular church. From 1250 to 1660, the building was the place of worship of the noble Killigrew family of Arwenack Manor. In front of the altar is a brass dedicated to Sir John Killigrew, lord of the manor of Killigrew and the first captain of Henry VIII’s Pendennis Castle. In more recent history, and I am only touching on a fraction of the historical interest here, the church also displays a plaque dedicated to the 25 men of St Budock’s who lost their lives in the First World War. |
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