The Cotswolds 2000
Chapter 1 - Long Compton (part 2)
One morning I went for a walk and met two locals who were born in the village. Herrick and Derek live at the other end of the village. We discussed the changes that are taking place and how the village has changed during the course of their lives. Derek told me that he was born in a "hillbilly" house near our cottage which had very basic amenities. He told stories of a tramp who regularly visited the village and used the public water supply to take a bath "whatever the weather". I persuaded them to pose for a picture before they went their separate ways.
The focal point of Long Compton is its Church, which is large for so small a village. Apart from its age, it has a number of features worth describing. Here are views of the Church from the road to Whichford, taken as the sun's first rays angle down on the tower.
The Church has a unique Lych Gate complete with thatch roof.
The Parish Council maintains a small courtyard next to the Lych Gate that provides a sheltered spot to sit and wait for the hourly bus service between Oxford and Stratford.
Churches are often neglected these days and some in the Cotswolds are virtually abandoned. We were pleased, therefore to witness a local wedding take place. Judith works in the village store and her wedding day was a fine summer's afternoon. Here are some pictures:
The official photographer greets bride and escort.
After the wedding the guests enjoy the sunshine.
The happy couple with their parents.
The next evening all was back to normal.
In contrast to the antiquity of the Church, the village has recently erected a "Millenium Chronolog" which celebrates 2000 years of progress.
Well, that's Long Compton as seen through one visitor's eyes. Best memory of the stay? Getting up before dawn and seeing the warm sun slowly rise over the wheat fields while a hare and several rabbits cavorted in the nearby pasture.
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