St. Andrew's Church, Langton, North Yorkshire.

The church remains closed, though through a wire mesh door a sleeping lady lies down, dressed in the manner of a person from the 1600s possibly . Rather impressive and intriguing requiring further research ( see below ). The church and walled churchyard sit higher than the surrounding area. The churchyard features many gravestones with inscriptions repeating in the names of Northcliffe and Vyse in particular. This view interested me inasmuch that, though I have passed by regularly over the years I was unaware of it. This little mystery was solved by a local person, a young mother with her baby and buggy taking a walk in the bright sunshine. She mentioned that a huge tree was taken down last year, thus making the church more visible. The mesh wire door was to allow circulation of air to help prevent a known problem with damp, especially as no one is allowed inside.

I arrived late afternoon and had brought along my alkyd oil paints.

I set up and outlined the composition before adding the darker colours first. The pink in the grass is campion, which is growing along with some cow parsley in areas set aside for wildlife. The pink in the tree are the flowers of a huge red horse chestnut tree.

The gorgeous flowers of the red horse chestnut

The elaborate tomb of Mary Watkinson, who died giving birth to twins in 1656, sadly all three died, and all three commemorated here in Langton Church. The recumbent effigy of poor Mary has looped draperies and against the back wall are two babies, their hands on skulls and guarded by seated angels. At the top of this grand, but sad monument, is an achievement of arms flanked by two obelisks..