Tranquil evening in the Clun Valley

A beautiful evening of sun and shadows in the Clun Valley, not far from the small village of Bettws y Crwyn.

Tranquil evening in the Clun Valley

I was on my way home but couldn’t resist stopping to get a shot of this peaceful scene near the Welsh border.

Earlier on I had called in at St Mary’s Church in Bettws, where the ends of the pews are painted with the names of the farms to which they were allotted.
 

This remote spot lies 1300 ft above sea level, making it one of the highest settlements in England.

The ancient drover road from Wales into England is one reason why the church may have been built here, although it could also have been a shrine for a nearby well believed to possess healing properties.

Whatever the reason, little remains of the original church - or chapelry - which was built around 700 years ago.

The beautiful roof is possibly late medieval, although the church itself was extensively restored in 1860. In an 1863 directory of Shropshire, the roof timber is described as Spanish chestnut.
 

Generations have lived and worshipped here, and their care and respect for this little church is carried on by members of the community today.

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A look back at our best images from 2021 Sea of white as sun rises over Bridgnorth My home from home in the Clun Valley Autumn reflections in the Llangollen Canal Flash of colour over Titterstone Clee Harvest time in the shadow of the Wrekin Sunshine and rain at Stokesay Castle Magical view as sun rises over Shropshire Landscape that inspired novelist Mary Webb A step back in time along Offa's Dyke Village that may have inspired Conan Doyle Sunrise and silence in the Shropshire Hills A bird's-eye view of Shropshire Spectacular sunrise over Ludlow Patchwork of green beneath Moyledd Hill Evening sunlight on Titterstone Clee Hailstorms, wind and rain on Caer Caradoc Spectacular blossom across Shropshire Light and shadows on the Stiperstones A frosty morning on Whitcliffe Common Spring blossoms into life in beautiful Clun A view of Bridgnorth with a difference Brief encounter on Hopesay Common Sunshine and snow on Caer Caradoc Dark shadow of a Civil War massacre Pink glow of moonrise over the Wrekin
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