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.