Logged Visits:

2nd Apr 2021  12:26  by boblynoriho

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Inaccessible  Score: 6/10

Thatcham Church ©boblynoriho

19th Nov 2020  12:03  by TrigJS

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Flagstaff good. Bolt assumed to be at the top of the tower and hence inaccessible.

TP21399 The church tower and flagstaff.

27th Apr 2017  14:39  by g4wsb

Gridref: SU 51636 67229   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

©g4wsb
©g4wsb
©g4wsb

1st Apr 2017  09:17  by peregrinus

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

8th Dec 2016  12:33  by jonglew

Gridref: SU 51626 67230   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

St Mary's Church, Grade II* listed, 12thC origins. OS lists Bolt and Flagstaff as components. A large Flagstaff with weather vane atop sits at centre of tower roof; I did not investigate the Bolt. Cut benchmark on tower buttress.

Church of St Mary TP21399©jonglew
Church of St Mary - The Flagstaff TP21399©jonglew
Church of St Mary - Vane atop Flagstaff TP21399©jonglew

12th Sep 2015  18:46  by pkbathrooms

Gridref: SU 51630 67226   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

No Name board at entrance we entered. Also a cutmark on the church. A church has existed on this site at Thatcham for more than ten centuries. The original Saxon Minster is thought to have been made of wood. The Normans built the first stone church around 1140. A chancel was built about 1220. It originally had three tall lancet windows in the east end. In 1344 Earl of Salisbury, Sir William de Montacute of Crookham Manor, was killed in a jousting tournament at Windsor. His widow Katherine added a low tower to the church in his memory. The work was halted as nearly half the people in the parish died from the Black Death. In 1480 a north aisle was constructed. A short south aisle was also added at an unknown date. Brick porches were built on the north and south sides. In 1480 a north aisle was constructed. A short south aisle was also added at an unknown date. Brick porches were built on the north and south sides. part from the removal of the pinnacles in the 1970 tower renovations, the exterior of the church remains unchanged. Gas lighting was installed in September 1867; sixty years later it was replaced by electricity. A new hot water radiator system provided heating in 1919; radiant gas heaters replaced it in 1982. The organ was completely rebuilt in 1956, with further extensive work in 1982 and 1994. The tower bells were augmented to eight in 1927 and to ten in 1969. The Meeting Room was constructed at the back of the church in 1979. Changes in the style of worship in the 1970s led to the use of a temporary nave altar, and this was established on a permanent basis with the construction of a dais and new altar rails in 1989. New exterior doors were added to the porch at the same time. Floodlights were installed in 2000 and the heating system replaced in November 2001. Further improvements to access for the disabled and reordering the Chapel are planned.

6th Sep 2015  05:48  by Trigger

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

TP21399

14th Jun 2014  17:01  by edfielden

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Couldn't find it  Score: 3/10

Flagstaff visible from ground level; access to bolt not sought. Had a quick chat with the rector who tells me the bell ringers are usually in charge of the tower. Further details and photos to follow...