Thursday 14 Sept
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Saturday 16 Sept
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Sunday 17 Sept
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Friday 15 September 2006
1. The Journey to Bale.
(Coach was due to leave at 09.00AM prompt outside The Anchor,
Morston)
Arriving outside the Anchor Inn (our planned meeting place to get
the Coach Tour) about 8.50am, it turned out that apart from one
couple, John was the only other person there! Over the next few
minutes however, other family members turned up from all
directions, parking their cars nearby. Not long after that, a lovely
large Coach arrived and parked outside the The Anchor.
Our driver for the day was called Roger, and he was very attentive,
helping both young and old onto the Coach, and generally chatting
to everyone. Eventually everyone was on the Coach, and following
a head count (just to make sure everyone was on board!) we set off
(at 09.00am on the dot), heading for the village of Bale and its
ancient Church.
Driving down verdant country lanes, the sun streamed in through the
windows, and everyone was warm and cosy in the mid-September
morning sunshine. Whilst he drove, Roger provided an interesting
commentary on various landmarks, historical items and local
country lore, much more besides,including tales of the famous
Great Bale Oak
when eventually, we came in sight of the Church.2. Bale Church and its famous Great Oak
At Bale we all got off the Coach, and made our way along the
gravel path up to the Church, where the great main door was
opened by one of the family members, and we all went inside.
After allowing for everyone to have a good look around the interior,
especially at the fragments of ancient stained glass, the various
floor graveslabs etc, as well as having time to buy cards, leaflets
about the Church and also sign the Visitors' book, John then called
everyone's attention and spoke of the 1600s, when a family of
Powditch lived in Bale and had worshipped, been baptised, married
and buried either in the Church itself or in the case of the latter,
more probably in the Churchyard.
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Although by modern day spelling, we now include a 't' in the family surname (i.e. Powditch), John
explained that the way the Bale family's name was spelt in the Registers was actually 'Poodich' and
on one occasion as 'Poodick' (!) but that they were definitely Powditch's.
After about 40 minutes looking around the Church, we all returned to the Coach for the next leg of
our journey, to Walsingham.
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Thursday 14 Sept
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Saturday 16 Sept
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Sunday 17 Sept
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