Article in Devon Life

This is part of a two page article about my Three Hares Trail written by Mercedes Smith in the January edition of Devon Life which is out now.

Three Hares at Gwithian Towans

We came across this charming carving of the Three Hares on a large stone for the Gwithian Towans Nature Reserve near Hayle in Cornwall, it is a great place for a walk through the dunes and across the beautiful long sandy beach to Godrevy where there a lot of seals at the moment.

Exhibition in Parke

Yesterday we took my collection of the seventeen prints I have had made of all the churches on Dartmoor and in Devon with the Three Hares symbol as I have kindly been asked to exhibit them in Parke which is just on the edge of Bovey Tracey and a beautiful spot to visit with lovely walks along the beautiful river and in the grounds. They are on display in the newly refurbished tea rooms/restaurant and I am hoping a lot of people will then be able to discover the Trail. Many thanks to Stella who kindly asked me to exhibit there.

Bridford

A recent visit to the pretty village of Bridford on the Eastern edge of Dartmoor. The church of St Thomas Becket is early 14th c and reconstructed in 1500. It has a lovely Three Hares boss which is painted red. There is a very fine carved and painted rood screen. Here is a photo I took of one of the windows which is made up of pieces of medieval glass including the rather strange face which looks as if its tongue is sticking out! We had an excellent Sunday lunch in the Bridford Inn and a stroll around the small nature reserve.

Screen in Cheriton Bishop Church

On a recent visit to Cheriton Bishop church I took this picture of the beautiful screen which has been restored to its original colour and depicts eight saints. The Three Hares boss can be seen carved in the roof near this.

Article in Country Life Magazine October 16th 13

The Three Hares of Lydford

Here is a photo I took yesterday of the beautiful stained glass window in the Castle Inn at Lydford, it is in the door to the bar on your left as you go in, oposite is a splendid Green Man. We had a really good Sunday roast!

Inside Throwleigh church

Here is a photo of the inside of the church of St Mary the Virgin in Throwleigh. The three hares boss is located top left and can be seen a little better with a strong torch shone at it. It is a lovely old church in a beautiful location with good walks going from it around the narrow Dartmoor lanes. The pub at Wonson is close enough to walk to and is an unspoilt gem!

Throwleigh Church

I went up to Throwleigh church recently to take some of my Three Hares Trail leaflets and was so pleased to see the graveyard full of devil's bit scabious flowers, I only wish more churches would leave their graveyards for the wildflowers to grow instead of strimming everything, it is so good for the insects and wildlife.

Newton St Cyres Church

A photo of the inside of the church at Newton St Cyres, the Three Hares boss is above. There is an almost perfect 17th century monument to the left of the window showing Sir John Northcote, to his right is his first wife Elizabeth Rouse by whom he had one son who died and there is a sad legend written "My fruits were small, one sonne was all, that not at all". On his left is his second wife Susanna Pollard by whom he had twelve sons and six daughters! and the saying around her portrait is "My Jacob had by me as many sonnes as hee. Daughters twice three"

Newton St Cyres Church

This lovely Church is set on the hillside overlooking the village of Newton St Cyres. It has one carved wooden Three Hares boss which is quite difficult to see properly without a torch. Behind the church is an Arboretum which is being restored to its former glory and is a real pleasure to walk around, apart from the trees there is a remarkable ancient timber and thatch summer house. If you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of the wild boars that reputidly roam free in the woods!

Ilsington Stained Glass Window

On Sunday we drove out to Ilsington to take some of my Three Hares Trail leaflets to put in the church there and I was able to have another look at the lovely stained glass window with St Francis surrounded by animals, flowers and birds. It is signed by George B Cooper ABBS 1955. Here is a close up of the left side showing a rabbit bottom left, then above this a caterpillar, above this a frog and some toadstools. Sitting on the top left is the Barn Owl that I have included in my painting of the church and above this a lark ( I think). Ilsington is such a charming village and we had a good Sunday roast at the Carpenters Arms.

The Three Hares of Ilsington

St Michael's Church stands in the centre of this pretty village which is to the East of Widecombe in the Moor on Dartmoor. There are the ancient remains of the Manor House in the graveyard which was mentioned in the Domesday book in 1086. This church has a fine roof with one Three Hares Boss as seen in my painting above. There is a charming stained glass window of St Frances which has amongst others Swallows, a frog, caterpillar, a mouse and even a snail, this quite captivated me and in my picture I have added the Barn Owl from this window. The church has some serious problems with damp so please put a small donation in the collection box as it could do with some help with restorations. The Carpenters Arms pub stands beside the church and is a good place to stop off for a drink and meal.

The Three Hares of Tavistock

The Church of St Eustachius in Tavistock dates back to 1318 but has been much enlarged and rebuilt mainly between 1350 to 1450. It has a very finely carved and beautifully painted Three Hares Boss or "Tinners Rabbits" as Tavistock like Chagford is a Stannary Town and is where the tin miners brought their tin to be weighed.
Tavistock has many fine buildings including the impressive Town Hall. It sits on the lovely River Tavy and there are plenty of good walks including some along the river. There is a great market and many good places to eat.
As the stone of the buildings in Tavistock is quite grey instead of painting this church with a dark blue background I decided it needed a contrast so I have painted St Eustachius with a fiery sunset which I think sets it and the boss off perfectly.

The Three Hares of North Bovey

North Bovey is a very pretty village on Dartmoor, it has the River Bovey winding around it and many interesting walks through the pretty Devon lanes going out to the moors. The village is full of pretty thatched cottages set around the village green with a great pub the Ring of Bells Inn. The church of St John the Baptist has one beautifully painted Three Hares Boss in its fine wagon roof where you can also see the heads of Edward the 1st and his two wives Queen Eleanor of Castile and Queen Marguerite of France.

Front of the Trail leaflet

This is the front of my Three Hares Trail leaflet, I love the bright colours which were needed to compliment the bright colours of my paintings. Luckily here in Chagford we have a brilliant man Josh who has Computer Solutions and is great at design and printing which made the task of producing all the leaflets so much easier.
Mind you they are so popular I will need some more soon!!

The Nine bosses of St John the Baptist Broadclyst

This church is just to the north east of Exeter in the pretty village of Broadclyst. It is a beautiful church with an elegant tower with some fine gargoyles on it and while we were there we were thrilled to see a Peregine falcon using one of these as a perch. There are actually nine different Three Hares bosses made of plaster in this church and painted a strange pink with one having red eyes and looking more like pink rabbits than hares. I was informed that originally the bosses were turquoise and gold which I think would have looked wonderful. Next to the church is the Red Lion Inn which does a very good Sunday lunch!

Three Hares Trail Map

Here is the inside of my Trail leaflet showing the map and list of all the churches and how many bosses each has. I have also included the Castle Inn at Lydford as it has a beautiful stained glass door into the bar with the Three Hares, this is also a good place to stop on your way to or from the remote church at Kelly.

Dr Tom Greeves, Sue Andrew and Eleanor Ludgate

 Cultural environmentalist Dr Tom Greeves has been investigating the Three Hares motif since the early 1980's and formed The Three Hares project together with art historian Sue Andrew and photogrepher Chris Chapman their detailed research into this is fascinating and has been fundamental in the making of my Three Hares Trail. I was delighted to welcome them to see my Three Hares exhibition in Chagford this week.

Opening of my Three Hares Exhibition

This is a picture taken at the opening of my Three Hares Trail exhibition. Westcountry TV did a bit about it on the local news, here is a link to see this http://vimeo.com/69742005

The THREE HARES of SAMPFORD COURTENAY

The church of St Andrew's is very beautiful 15thc with a tall lichen covered tower, inside there is a permanent display about

the Prayer Book rebellion which was fought in the village in 1549. The church has two fine carved roof bosses of the Three Hares as well as a superb Green Man amongst others.The village is one of the prettiest in East Devon with mainly cob and thatched cottages and a superb pub The New Inn where you are guarenteed a great meal!
Here is my painting done for the Three Hares Trail, the leaflets for this are now available and all the paintings can be seen on my website www.devonsnatureinart.com

The THREE HARES of KELLY

This little church is in the remote village of Kelly between Tavistock and Launceston. It is lichen covered and quite romantic so I have painted it is shades of green. It has one very ancient carved Three Hares roof boss and a beautiful modern copy. Next to the church is the crumbling Kelly House with a lovely walk starting beside it which goes to the tiny village of Bradstone with another partially ruined gatehouse and another pretty church.

The Three Hares of South Tawton

Here is another painting I have done for the Three Hares Trail. I am hoping that it will bring a few more vistors to see these lovely old churches and enjoy a walk in the area and a meal or drink at the local pub.

The Three Hares of Chagford

Here is the first painting in my Three Hares Trail. I have been working on this project for seven months now and have finally completed all of the seventeen paintings, one of each church including their Three Hares Boss. This oil painting is of our church here in Chagford which has two bosses in its roof. I am launching the trail leaflets on the 4th of July and the exhibition of all the paintings here in my gallery, 20 The Square, Chagford, Devon. TQ13 8AB. This exhibition will run throughout the summer so please do come along and see it and pick up your trail leaflet.