5
ROOF WITH A VIEW
SECTION 5 (Bells 5)
Finally we squeeze up steps (that are no more than narrow winding ledges) almost to a weighty wooden roof ceiling with wind vane base piercing through to its secure foundation in the tower wall. From here we (cautiously) emerge through a south facing Tudor Arch side door onto the breezy Bell Tower Roof (which features wide panoramic vistas of Maiden Bradley village and surrounding landscape). A rather splendid rotary weathercock silhouette, swiveling on fixed NESW compass bearings - up on the turret to our left - keeps proving wind direction.
(Do open a new tab/s in your browser for Bells 1 Bells a-z and/or Glossary to keep up with any unfamiliar terms.)
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NARROW STEPS UP TO ROOF
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Belfry door well secured we head up the last flight of steps.
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Handy rope banister.
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Flagpole pierces the tower ceiling.
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Very narrow steps!
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. . .out into which the flagpole sprouts.
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Light at the end of a vertical tunnel. . .
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Panning down and left. . .
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Opposite tower roof door - flagpole foundation recess.
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Tudor arched doorway (c.1800). . .
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. . .to the tower roof door steps.
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. . .safely padlocked.
UP ON THE ROOF
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Into the light and windy fresh air.
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Tower door (facing north-east).
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The delightfully wrought weather vane seems to flutter.
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Well worth a closer look. . .
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. . .and closer still.
A weather vane (or weathercock) is an instrument for showing the direction of the wind . They are typically used as an architectural ornament to the highest point of a building.
Although partly functional, weather vanes are generally decorative, often featuring the traditional cockerel design with letters indicating the points of the compass. Other common motifs include ships, arrows and horses. Not all weather vanes have pointers.
The word 'vane' comes from the Old English word fana meaning 'flag'.
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Moving clockwise (from where the sun rises) to survey the views. . .
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Refurbished roof - nice job.
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Due east - across Bradley Park to Brimsdown Hill
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Little Knoll partially visible (far centre)
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First signs of village - Sunnyside and a bit of Old Dower House.
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Turning west the hump of Long Knoll just in sight.
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Village allotment next to Bradley House nursery on the right.
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Can you see the United Reform Chapel?
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Church Street and High Street appear as we swing north.
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That lump below the parapet is a gargoyle.
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Busy B0392 contrasts with a peaceful setting.
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Looking almost due north.
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Close-up of village allotment.
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Zoom to Church Street.
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Sepia postcard (c.1915)
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Winter view (c.1965?)
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Where were we? Oh yes. . .
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Bearing north-east where copper beeches of Back Lane appear (far right).
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Pause for thought. . .
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. . .then (left of blue pool) Bradley House edges in.
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Almost full circle. . .
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. . .but not quite yet.
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Bradley House.
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And this is where we came in.
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Interesting graffiti. . .
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. . .to explore another time.
And so our photo-essay is complete (apart, no doubt, from the inevitable tweakings, edits, and crucial additions, over the living years to come). While you're here, why not have another spin around the block? In any case, thank you for viewing and do visit our bell tower again soon.
