Ledbury & District U3A

THE latest trip for the Churches Visiting Group 2 was to St. Andrew's Parish Church of Bredwardine with Brobury. The fascinating Norman building is set in a beautiful and peaceful location just above the banks of the River Wye. Much of the nave dates from the time of the Conquest and the chancel was rebuilt in 1406 after being partially destroyed by Owain Glyndwr's marauding soldiers. In the churchyard is the tomb of the Reverend Francis Kilvert known for his diaries which shed humour, light and pathos on the hard life of the poor in Victorian times. Kilvert ministered in St. Andrew's from November 1877 till his death in 1879 of peritonitis. We were greeted by the Churchwarden and given a brief but concise history of the Church followed by a presentation by the Secretary of the Kilvert Society who had travelled from Bristol for the occasion. To complete the Church visit we were guided through the Church interior and Churchyard followed finally by lunch at the Yew Tree PH at Preston on Wye. Everyone agreed it had been a most interesting, successful and in many ways, an enlightening visit.