Saturday April 14th saw the first of the Trust’s private guided tours for 2025. The theme was Cley and Glandford Churches: The Middle Ages as they were and as they ought to have been.
This sold-out tour led by Justin Nolan, the former Head of History of Art at Eton College and a Norfolk resident. His theme was how the medieval ecclesiastical past was reimagined in the 19th century, influenced by the Oxford Movement, which sought to go back to the church’s historical roots and connections to the Catholic Church. All these ideas were brought to bear on the rebuilding of St Martin’s Church in Glandford, particularly in its elaborate ‘medieval’ interiors. This ambitious programme was financed by local landowner and public benefactor, Sir Alfred Jodrell.
By way of contrast, the tour also visited Cley. A ‘true’ medieval church, which unlike Glandford, had evolved over several centuries and its fortunes were very much tied to its location as a working coastal port before the river Glaven silted up in the 17th century. Justin Nolan pointed out the various stages of building which reflected the changing economic fortunes of Cley and the aristocratic families, and later local merchants, who supported the daily life of this remarkable church.
The tour was very well received by those attending, as it provided a fascinating insight into the very different circumstances related to the building of each church. The PCC at Cley also kindly supplied afternoon tea at the end of the tour.
Another such tour is planned later in the year, please look out for more information in the Events section of the Norfolk Churches Trust website. Members will be sent an email with more details nearer to the date.
