Simon Knott
@simoninsuffolk.bsky.social
'dust in the air suspended,
marks the place where a story ended'
Find me at http://www.simonknott.co.uk
Also available on X/Twitter. All photos mine.
marks the place where a story ended'
Find me at http://www.simonknott.co.uk
Also available on X/Twitter. All photos mine.
The River Orwell leaves Ipswich under the Orwell Bridge, heading toward the sea. The writer Eric Blair chose its name as his pen name, becoming famous as George Orwell. He died #OTD 21 January 1950. His parents lived at Southwold in Suffolk, and he wrote some of his books there. 1/2
January 21, 2026 at 8:18 PM
The River Orwell leaves Ipswich under the Orwell Bridge, heading toward the sea. The writer Eric Blair chose its name as his pen name, becoming famous as George Orwell. He died #OTD 21 January 1950. His parents lived at Southwold in Suffolk, and he wrote some of his books there. 1/2
A curiosity at Ranworth, Norfolk. At some point not long after the screen was painted, the seated figure of St Agnes was clumsily converted into St John the Baptist. Her lamb was given a flagstaff, her right arm altered, her hair became a beard.
Ranworth: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/ranworth/ran...
Ranworth: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/ranworth/ran...
January 21, 2026 at 8:20 AM
A curiosity at Ranworth, Norfolk. At some point not long after the screen was painted, the seated figure of St Agnes was clumsily converted into St John the Baptist. Her lamb was given a flagstaff, her right arm altered, her hair became a beard.
Ranworth: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/ranworth/ran...
Ranworth: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/ranworth/ran...
St Agnes on the south (female) side of the screen at Westhall, Suffolk. The lamb at her feet has rather more grace and poise than he does at Cawston! St Sitha and St Brigid flank her. The painting is perhaps half a century before the north (male) side.
More: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/Westhall.htm
More: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/Westhall.htm
January 21, 2026 at 8:07 AM
St Agnes on the south (female) side of the screen at Westhall, Suffolk. The lamb at her feet has rather more grace and poise than he does at Cawston! St Sitha and St Brigid flank her. The painting is perhaps half a century before the north (male) side.
More: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/Westhall.htm
More: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/Westhall.htm
A detail of St Agnes's lamb in 15th Century glass at Plumstead, Norfolk, one of a number of small parishes just inland from the north Norfolk coast, and not to be confused with Great and Little Plumstead in Norwich suburbia.
Plumstead: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/plumstead/pl...
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Plumstead: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/plumstead/pl...
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January 21, 2026 at 7:44 AM
A detail of St Agnes's lamb in 15th Century glass at Plumstead, Norfolk, one of a number of small parishes just inland from the north Norfolk coast, and not to be confused with Great and Little Plumstead in Norwich suburbia.
Plumstead: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/plumstead/pl...
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Plumstead: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/plumstead/pl...
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Some 20th Century images of St Agnes on her feast. Firstly, by Christopher Powell, 1932 at Dersingham, Norfolk.
Dersingham: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/dersingham/d...
Dersingham: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/dersingham/d...
January 21, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Some 20th Century images of St Agnes on her feast. Firstly, by Christopher Powell, 1932 at Dersingham, Norfolk.
Dersingham: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/dersingham/d...
Dersingham: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/dersingham/d...
Today's the feast of St Agnes, 3rd Century Roman virgin martyr. Here she is in 15th Century Norwich School glass at Plumstead, Norfolk, with her conventional symbols of a lamb at her feet and a sword or dagger through her chest. She's the patron saint of girls.
January 21, 2026 at 6:44 AM
Today's the feast of St Agnes, 3rd Century Roman virgin martyr. Here she is in 15th Century Norwich School glass at Plumstead, Norfolk, with her conventional symbols of a lamb at her feet and a sword or dagger through her chest. She's the patron saint of girls.
The crown and arrows of St Edmund on a door at Fritton St Edmund, Norfolk. The parish was in Suffolk until 1974, but has always been in the Diocese of Norwich.
January 20, 2026 at 11:50 AM
The crown and arrows of St Edmund on a door at Fritton St Edmund, Norfolk. The parish was in Suffolk until 1974, but has always been in the Diocese of Norwich.
Today's the feast of St Sebastian, 3rd Century Roman soldier and martyr. English medieval images of him are rare, but invoked against the plague there was a rising cult here in the early 16th Century. He's on the rood screen at Wellingham, Norfolk:
More: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/wellingham/w...
More: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/wellingham/w...
January 20, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Today's the feast of St Sebastian, 3rd Century Roman soldier and martyr. English medieval images of him are rare, but invoked against the plague there was a rising cult here in the early 16th Century. He's on the rood screen at Wellingham, Norfolk:
More: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/wellingham/w...
More: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/wellingham/w...
Today's the feasts of St Fabian and St Sebastian, 3rd Century Roman martyrs. The only church in England dedicated to them both is in the polite Norfolk village of Woodbastwick, better known to many as home to the Woodforde brewery.
Woodbastwick: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/woodbastwick...
Woodbastwick: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/woodbastwick...
January 20, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Today's the feasts of St Fabian and St Sebastian, 3rd Century Roman martyrs. The only church in England dedicated to them both is in the polite Norfolk village of Woodbastwick, better known to many as home to the Woodforde brewery.
Woodbastwick: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/woodbastwick...
Woodbastwick: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/woodbastwick...
I'm off to God's Own County for the week next week. I'll be dotting around a bit, but one place I'm planning to visit is Huddersfield, and I've not been there before. What shouldn't I miss? Architecture, galleries, churches, great views, great pubs, anything like that. Bearing the weather in mind!
January 19, 2026 at 6:48 PM
I'm off to God's Own County for the week next week. I'll be dotting around a bit, but one place I'm planning to visit is Huddersfield, and I've not been there before. What shouldn't I miss? Architecture, galleries, churches, great views, great pubs, anything like that. Bearing the weather in mind!
Essex has some unusual two word placenames. As well as neighbouring Steeple Bumpstead, there's Chignal Smealey, Shellow Bowells, Good Easter, Margaret Roding, Willingale Spain, Norton Mandeville and Bardfield Saling, among others.
This is St Peter & St Paul, Shellow Bowells, now a private house:
This is St Peter & St Paul, Shellow Bowells, now a private house:
January 19, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Essex has some unusual two word placenames. As well as neighbouring Steeple Bumpstead, there's Chignal Smealey, Shellow Bowells, Good Easter, Margaret Roding, Willingale Spain, Norton Mandeville and Bardfield Saling, among others.
This is St Peter & St Paul, Shellow Bowells, now a private house:
This is St Peter & St Paul, Shellow Bowells, now a private house:
Quaker headstones in Ipswich Old Cemetery. They follow the Quaker practice of not naming months and days, which was thought pagan.
#MemorialsMonday
#MemorialsMonday
January 19, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Quaker headstones in Ipswich Old Cemetery. They follow the Quaker practice of not naming months and days, which was thought pagan.
#MemorialsMonday
#MemorialsMonday
'In so long period, no doubt but you may find,
To some misconduct he might be inclin'd...'
The memorial to William Tabersham, 1771 at Helions Bumpstead, Essex.
More: www.simonknott.co.uk/essexchurche...
#MemorialsMonday
To some misconduct he might be inclin'd...'
The memorial to William Tabersham, 1771 at Helions Bumpstead, Essex.
More: www.simonknott.co.uk/essexchurche...
#MemorialsMonday
January 19, 2026 at 9:36 AM
'In so long period, no doubt but you may find,
To some misconduct he might be inclin'd...'
The memorial to William Tabersham, 1771 at Helions Bumpstead, Essex.
More: www.simonknott.co.uk/essexchurche...
#MemorialsMonday
To some misconduct he might be inclin'd...'
The memorial to William Tabersham, 1771 at Helions Bumpstead, Essex.
More: www.simonknott.co.uk/essexchurche...
#MemorialsMonday
And yes, it should say Archibald Leach, not Archibald Leitch. I've obviously spent too much time recently in the company of early 20th Century Scottish architects. Here's his (almost) namesake at Anfield...
January 18, 2026 at 10:53 AM
And yes, it should say Archibald Leach, not Archibald Leitch. I've obviously spent too much time recently in the company of early 20th Century Scottish architects. Here's his (almost) namesake at Anfield...
The Miracle at Cana by Heaton, Butler & Bayne, 1865 at St Martin, Colchester. Christ turns water into wine in the foreground as his mother looks on. Behind, the Ruler of the Feast holds a glass of it up to the light as the bride, bridegroom and wedding party watch.
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January 18, 2026 at 7:58 AM
The Miracle at Cana by Heaton, Butler & Bayne, 1865 at St Martin, Colchester. Christ turns water into wine in the foreground as his mother looks on. Behind, the Ruler of the Feast holds a glass of it up to the light as the bride, bridegroom and wedding party watch.
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All Souls, Langham Place, London, by John Nash who was born #OTD 18 January 1752. Designed as a focus to the end of his Regent Street terraces, the interior is essentially a preaching box for evangelical worship. Broadcasting House shoulders up to it from behind.
January 18, 2026 at 7:41 AM
All Souls, Langham Place, London, by John Nash who was born #OTD 18 January 1752. Designed as a focus to the end of his Regent Street terraces, the interior is essentially a preaching box for evangelical worship. Broadcasting House shoulders up to it from behind.
The actor Cary Grant was born Archibald Leitch #OTD 18 January 1904 in Bristol. His statue in the city's Millennium Square by Graham Ibbeson, 2001.
Grant's unhappy childhood culminated in his mother being committed to a mental institution when he was 9.
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Grant's unhappy childhood culminated in his mother being committed to a mental institution when he was 9.
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January 18, 2026 at 7:30 AM
The actor Cary Grant was born Archibald Leitch #OTD 18 January 1904 in Bristol. His statue in the city's Millennium Square by Graham Ibbeson, 2001.
Grant's unhappy childhood culminated in his mother being committed to a mental institution when he was 9.
1/2
Grant's unhappy childhood culminated in his mother being committed to a mental institution when he was 9.
1/2
'Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it'
The Miracle at the Wedding in Cana, 15th Century glass at East Harling, Norfolk. Jesus turns water into wine. He sits top right, hand extended. His crowned mother watches as St John passes the cup to the ruler of the feast. The bride looks on. 1/3
The Miracle at the Wedding in Cana, 15th Century glass at East Harling, Norfolk. Jesus turns water into wine. He sits top right, hand extended. His crowned mother watches as St John passes the cup to the ruler of the feast. The bride looks on. 1/3
January 18, 2026 at 7:00 AM
'Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it'
The Miracle at the Wedding in Cana, 15th Century glass at East Harling, Norfolk. Jesus turns water into wine. He sits top right, hand extended. His crowned mother watches as St John passes the cup to the ruler of the feast. The bride looks on. 1/3
The Miracle at the Wedding in Cana, 15th Century glass at East Harling, Norfolk. Jesus turns water into wine. He sits top right, hand extended. His crowned mother watches as St John passes the cup to the ruler of the feast. The bride looks on. 1/3
As it's been a kind of porcine day, what with St Anthony of Egypt having his feast, a few more pigs. Here's a sow feeding piglets, a c1900 bench end carving at Beighton, Norfolk.
Beighton: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/beighton/bei...
Beighton: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/beighton/bei...
January 17, 2026 at 9:55 PM
As it's been a kind of porcine day, what with St Anthony of Egypt having his feast, a few more pigs. Here's a sow feeding piglets, a c1900 bench end carving at Beighton, Norfolk.
Beighton: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/beighton/bei...
Beighton: www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/beighton/bei...
Sylvia Plath reads the opening of 'Black Rook in Rainy Weather', 1960.
January 17, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Sylvia Plath reads the opening of 'Black Rook in Rainy Weather', 1960.
I found this quite interesting, not least because they're all (except one) cities I've spent time in over the last few years. I'd likely have the same Number One. I'd have Glasgow and Hull higher, Bristol and Birmingham lower. Not sure London should be in it.
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/62e8f8e...
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/62e8f8e...
Britain’s 20 biggest cities, ranked from worst to best
Which of these cities has the most to offer tourists, and which are short of visitor appeal? Our UK expert offers his candid verdict
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 17, 2026 at 3:10 PM
I found this quite interesting, not least because they're all (except one) cities I've spent time in over the last few years. I'd likely have the same Number One. I'd have Glasgow and Hull higher, Bristol and Birmingham lower. Not sure London should be in it.
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/62e8f8e...
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/62e8f8e...
St Michael, Rushmere, Suffolk, one of East Anglia's many round-towered churches, is set in the lanes to the south of Lowestoft. The tower is mostly 13th Century. By the 1970s the church had fallen into disuse, and was roofless and abandoned. 1/3
Rushmere: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/rushmerestmi...
Rushmere: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/rushmerestmi...
January 17, 2026 at 9:46 AM
St Michael, Rushmere, Suffolk, one of East Anglia's many round-towered churches, is set in the lanes to the south of Lowestoft. The tower is mostly 13th Century. By the 1970s the church had fallen into disuse, and was roofless and abandoned. 1/3
Rushmere: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/rushmerestmi...
Rushmere: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/rushmerestmi...
Nowton church, Suffolk, hiding among trees in the rolling, winding lanes between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury. Inside, one of the largest collections in England of early modern continental glass, installed in the early 19th Century.
More: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/nowton.html
#SteepleSaturday
More: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/nowton.html
#SteepleSaturday
January 17, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Nowton church, Suffolk, hiding among trees in the rolling, winding lanes between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury. Inside, one of the largest collections in England of early modern continental glass, installed in the early 19th Century.
More: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/nowton.html
#SteepleSaturday
More: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/nowton.html
#SteepleSaturday
A close-up of St Anthony of Egypt's pig on the c1500 screen at Westhall, Suffolk. He wears a belled collar.
More: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/Westhall.htm
More: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/Westhall.htm
January 17, 2026 at 8:17 AM
A close-up of St Anthony of Egypt's pig on the c1500 screen at Westhall, Suffolk. He wears a belled collar.
More: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/Westhall.htm
More: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/Westhall.htm
St Anthony is sometimes shown with other animals, as here with a sheep in a collected 17th Century continental roundel, one of more than 80 now at Nowton, Suffolk. As at Rushmere he has a rosary, and also a tau cross. Unsurprisingly, he's the patron saint of domestic animals.
January 17, 2026 at 8:11 AM
St Anthony is sometimes shown with other animals, as here with a sheep in a collected 17th Century continental roundel, one of more than 80 now at Nowton, Suffolk. As at Rushmere he has a rosary, and also a tau cross. Unsurprisingly, he's the patron saint of domestic animals.