Wholistic Arts

Set out for Repton on solstice trip. Ann and myself got pole position outside and entered the church. Quite a few residents were very friendly and looked after us.  They showed us down to the crypt. Although this was quite small (10' x 12' ish) with four amazing pillars it still felt awesome. Apparently, the vikings (or Saxons?), used to place the whole body in the crypt. Then when all the flesh had gone they stored the bones together. The crypt was entered on the left hand side, then pilgrims would view the crypt of at least three anglo saxon kings of mercia. Then out from underneath the altar to emerge on the right hand side. After looking round inside the church we visited Repton school. They let us roam loose because no school children were there over the holiday. Took a look at the old Priory. Really nice looking building.  The original school was founded in 1557. The school expanded and has its own chapel and now occupies mo...

Got onto A50, past Uttoxeter. Then near to Monkey forest. Stopped at entrance to another forest. Parked up, then walked and walked around hill fort, Bury Bank. Lots of ferns and trees with tractor/forestry cut out path circling around hill top. I expected to see a clearing but even at the highest point it was covered in trees and fern. There were tiny glimpses of amazing views but not very clear because of trees. Checked the Dowsing Rods. They crossed all the time but with constant mini 'tugs' (never happened before so need to research why). The whole place appears to have earth energy....Then went to Barleston. There is a new church since 1980, but I eventually found the old church. It was past the entrance to Wedgewood visitor centre. Saw Barleston Hall, now derelict and the old Church was next to it. Really beautiful, even tough not used anymore and is boarded up. Checked the tower, still standing, probably from 12th century. Churchyard still in tact, I really hope they pre...

Ventured off to investigate the church at Ticknall. The door to the church was open so we decided to go inside first. There is an effigy on the North wall considered to be of John Francis of Osmaston and Ticknall in the reign of Edward III. In the arched recess of the South wall is a stone figure dressed as a civilian lawyer thought to be William Francis, the re-founder of the original church in 1325. We both felt the church has positive vibes which reminded us of a similar church we had visited nearby at Twyford. Outside I checked the area using dowsing rods. For the first time wherever I went the rods crossed. To me this indicated a complete sacred site. However, I was determined to find a ley line. At last, the road leading up to the church was on a leyline. Ruins of the 14th century church dedicated to Thomas a Becket are in the churchyard. The two remaining parts appear to be at the East and the West which was probably the length of this church. Beautiful and charismatic rem...

Raye and myself set off on our Equinox journey to Codnor Castle. We got to Codnor car park on a bright sunny day at 11:30 and found the signpost to Codnor Castle on the other side of the road. It was quite a long walk along muddy fields, probably for about a mile. The site was amazing, a great ruin with rich history (see below). I got my dowsing rods and found a leyline running along the full area of the enclosure where some of the ruin has been fenced off by the 'new' heritage trust. From the sun I think it runs N-S but will check later on the map. About 10years ago I tried to get there but because it was on private land it was difficult to gain access but now since the charity has taken over it is now more accessible. Possibly due to nearby farm now being derelict. What a fantastic site, we were both very pleased with our trip. An extract on the history of this site from www.codnorcastle.co.uk... Situated on a ridge overlooking the Erewash Valley in Derbyshire, Codn...

Then went to Rufford Abbey. Ruins from 12th century. Impressive. Abbey was turned into a country house and gardens. RODS...crossed everywhere inside ruins. Found leyline outside, from front to back adjacent to restaurant (see foto).

Went to Checkley to view three Saxon crossed in the churchyard. I found the following information from the website    http://www.visitinghistoryinstaffordshire.com/checkleyparishchurch.asp which summed up my day. My personal addition is that of Leylines. I took my rods and found one, 23 paces as usual in width heading directly North South through the church. The crosses were diectly on Western edge of the Leyline. I too wish I could have explored the inside as the following: ST MARY AND ALL SAINTS CHURCH, CHECKLEY ‘Checkley, a small village which possess the finest church in the north of the County of Staffordshire.’  So said Charles Masefield, poet and local historian in his book ‘Staffordshire’ first printed in 1910.  (Sadly Charles Masefield died in 1917 in the First World War). He went on to say ‘the church is known as the Mother church of all the parishes for some miles and indeed St Mary and All Saint is one of the finest in the area a...

Decided to go to Ashbourne by bus for this adventure. Walked to St Oswalds church and checked out remains of a Saxon Cross and a bronze plaque from 1241. The brass plate is to commemorate the dedication of the church on 24 April 1241 by Hugh de Pateshull , Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. The inscription by the plaque shows that the church was started in the early 1200s. # Another church with an association to a poet. Quote from Wikipedia... Cultural associations St Oswald's bells inspired lines in Lalla Rookh by Thomas Moore , who lived in the area for four years: [16] Those evening bells! Those evening bells! How many a tale their music tells Of youth and home and that sweet time When last I heard their soothing chime. Those joyous hours are passed away: And many a heart that then was gay Within the tomb now darkly dwells And hears no more those evening bells. And so 'twill be when I am gone: That tuneful peal will still ring on While ot...

I went to Aslockton looking for a motte and bailey. I found that this village is where Thomas Cramnar was born. He was Archbishop after Wolsley and was executed by Mary Tudor. The plackard said the mound was EITHER a garden mound OR a motte and bailey. I think it has to be both. It felt 'right' that it was used as a castle and then hundreds of years later used as part of the Cramnar estate's garden. Especially since I foung a leyline from the road running thru' past the mound to the fishponds. These were two rectangular ditches that were used for rearing fish in 15thC,  common practice at that time. I managed to get on top of mound by climbing a tree to get over fence. Farmers again! Driving near to Cropwell Bishop, onto the New Road, in the dip, I saw a church on the hill in the distance. I noticed I could see straight through the windows, it may be ruin? So I went closer and walked up to it. I found a fantastic ruined church (Colston Bassett). It loo...

Ventured on another solstice journey after dropping Raye at Holbrook Hall to see Celia, so only had an hour or so. Had checked a place I had never been yet it was close by. It is Hortston or Horsley Castle which was a Norman motte and bailey castle as explained below. Wikipedia states:- "Horston Castle (sometimes spelt Horeston and also known as Horsley Castle) is about 1 mile to the south of the village Horsley, some 5 miles north of the English city of Derby (grid reference SK375432). The ruinous site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument but, as at 2008, is a Building at Risk. It was a Norman motte and bailey castle which was founded by Ralph de Buron. In the 13th century King John built a stone castle, adding a keep, a chapel, a gatehouse and a barbican. In 1514 it was granted by Henry VIII to the Duke of Norfolk as a reward for services against the Scots. Later it came into the possession of the Stanhope family. The castle is ruined today, damaged by extensive quarrying. The...

Solstice...went to St Dennis at 3ish. Not too far from Roche so good. Needed to get back for Salamander for dinner in Mevagissey. Straight to church. Saw ancient cross in courtyard and very old looking font. Church lies on iron age hill fort (may be two). Views spectacular. We saw two people who were cleaning church, we chatted and they explained about fire in church caused by arsonist. Started out 11ish. Straight to Penzance. Had lunch then looked around St Mary's. Leyline E-W alongside church. Great view of St. Ms Mount. Then on to Sancreed. Looked around church, being renovated, saw three Saxon crosses. Walked to ancient well. Fantastic. Clootie type tree, R left bag with £2 coin. I wished for curse removals and protection as dipped fingers in holy water and crossed my forehead. Good feelings, unlike at Clootie Well in Scotland. Then to Sancreed Beacon. Cairns and fab views all around On the way home we called at Temple church (a ritual visit now, it was on the pilg...

Went to Castle of Neratzia on the sea front in Kos Town. Fantastic, lots of greek and roman remains scattered about within the walls and buildings from Knights Templar.  Wikipedia states that, "it was constructed by the Knights Templar at the end of the 14th century". Obviously, likely to be the Hospitallers who took over a lot of previous Templar strongholds after the early part of the 14th century.  Tried Pendulum, circled 11 times over a hidden area. Maybe Silver? Then at the fountain 48, water? Will look up later. From Wikipedia..."The Tree of Hippocrates is the plane tree (or platane , in Europe ) under which, according to legend , Hippocrates of Kos (considered the father of medicine) taught his pupils the art of medicine ." We went there a few times because the square was fantastic with a nice bar nearby for a cool refreshing beer.   Bus arrived 08:35, went so far, then got off bus! Waited for bus 342, English speaking! So off we went to...

  With a peak at 1221 feet above sea level, Wetton Hill is a prominent landmark. Views from the summit include Rugely power station, some 25 miles south. Wetton Low is another peak, almost due south of the village. The name Low comes from its use as a burial ground, with several tumuli and as such will be good for another area for exploration later. So I ventured off for another 'solstice' expedition heading for the village of Wetton, then on to Wetton Hill. (The National Trust sign said Wetton Hills (plural)). After a long walk and a climb got to the top, I saw a single white daisy (there were no others to be seen all around!). It seemed to be a sign. I have recently been looking into guardian angels and them leaving signs, could this be one? I didn't know before the research that religions believe in them! And they are mentioned in the Bible! Later I found a leyline running North-South and some rocks where a cairn may have been. Further on I took a picture of Butte...

Having dropped Raye in town I looked for a nearby undiscovered place!  Ventured to Darley Abbey and found a ruin of part of the Abbey. Checking the rods I found a leyline running approx. EW. Then took path round the nearby church to the hermitage. This place was very similar to Anchor church at Ingleby, but in that case the hermit was an anchorite and also it was in front of a stream, whereas here it was on higher ground. Again found a leyline EW, but not directly in line with the Abbey. I wonder if I had found a helix ley (like Michael and Mary ley).

Another find close to home! First we went for a bite to eat at a place we call Windy Ridge, years ago there had been a cafe there where Raye and her dad had often passed there in the lorry. Later we often visited ourselves when it became a Little Chef! Doubling back and heading towards Stoke, turning left to a village called Stanton and just before on the right was a nature reserve called Thorswood. The trail around has been set out especially for children and within the boundaries are three round barrows, burial mounds. While checking these I did find a few leylines but initially thought there was a lot more (some has grids above them). When we got back to the start and checked the map for the children we realised that the other mounds were actual entranced to old mines! A very interesting place, mixing old (neolithic mounds) with new mounds (17th century mines). Did the mines go under the burial mounds? Further investigation is needed.

Decided to go to Hen Cloud, although we (Vic and me) had been before I wanted to explore another stone, 'the Bawdstone'. On the way up we saw peregrine falcons hovering the cliffs, spectacular. There were plenty of notices in order to protect them. The view was better than I remembered. We then walked towards the Roaches. Eventually we came to the Bawdstone, right in the middle between Hen Cloud and the Roaches. I checked and found two ley lines intertwining (like Mary and Michael ones). This was the first time I had found an interweaving ley (except for M&M). I also felt an eerie prescence but unable to describe exactly. At this time of viewing there was a kind of pool at the well of the structure. A real find.

Started out early to meet James at Whitby, he had already gone there a few days before by train. Whitby is an interesting town and because of the story about Dracula quite a draw to many people. Having met up with James we went to view the Abbey, although it was not directly open to the public yet. Between the Abbey and the Church I found just outside the church entrance a point where it appeared that two leylines met directly. I found later that there may be a triangle of leylines between Pendle Hill, Whitby Abbey and Lincoln Catherdral, could I have found the meeting point? These had been found by dowsing. The Winter Triangle is made as follows:- 1. Procyon in the constellation Canis Major, represented by Pendle Hill. 2. Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion, represented Whitby Abbey. 3. Sirius in the constellation Canis Major, represented by Lincoln Cathedral. With its association with the 'Goths' a very pleasant yet strange town. Within the churchyard was a ...

Started out early in the morning after dropping Raye at work. Ventured to Castle Gresley, about a mile away is a village called Church Gresley! Obviously there is a church at one and at the other a castle! Travelling by road between the two I could see no sign of a castle. My deadline for leaving was 11am in oreder to pick Raye up from work. After going round in circles a few time and the rain getting heavier I circled a new roundabout and spotted on a hill a mound. So headed in that direction, unable to find I saw a jitty by the side of this built up area marked by a public footpath side. It was now 10:45! My instincts told me it might be there, so I quickly ran up a small incline and 'hey presto' there it was. A bailey and motte in full view! Brilliant! Quickly checked for a leyline and there it was running parallel to the path and running through it. It has a motte and semilunar bailey, although altered by modern earthworks. The motte is twenty foot high on the hill top. ...

Followed a leyline through Leicester. It starts at St John's Tower in Bradgate Park which we have visited quite a few times previously. We visited a few places of interest in Leicester. Pingle Street in the local dialect means 'old track', at right angles to this is New Pingle Street ('new' because of the development around even though this was probably older than Pingle Street itself. The ley I picked up runs along New Pingle Street, 23 paces wide as usual. Then to Frog Island, between the river and canal, not quite an Island. Another place we went to was Cank Street where an ancient well was long ago, but now not visible. Tried to find it using my rods, a suspect was a drain in front of a shop, now in the hands of the water company. Leicester was supposedly founded by King Lear, son of the magical monarch Bladud. When the Romans came to the city's site they found a Belgic settlement already established. They considered what is now called ...

Had a great time at Doveholes " The Bull Ring is a henge, built in the late neolthic period near Dove Holes in Derbyshire. There are also two barrows near to the henge about 20m away, one oval the other a one bowl. It is large circular earthwork about 3 feet high and 30ish feet wide. A skeleton has been found near the north entrance; this entrance was damaged in the 19th century by quarrying. Why does there always seem to be a quarry nearby to a lot of these places? Stones and quarries I suppose it does make sense . The centre of the henge was apparently ploughed in the 18th century and a drystone wall was built. A single standing stone was recorded as remaining in 1789 by Pilkington, potentially the remnant of a stone circle! My rods showed a leyline running North South. Apparently to the North the valleys split NW to Chapen-en-le-Frith and to the NE to Mam Tor.