This collection of poems, quotations and Bible passages is a gem.
It contains the inspirational words of a wide number of writers as chosen by Penelope Bourdillon, and is illustrated with the churches of Radnorshire by Marcia Gibson-Watt.
Radnorshire is a county of wild beauty which has inspired writers and artists for centuries. It has many churches, some very old, many humble, and yet inspirational in their simplicity. These church buildings were often constructed of materials from the surrounding hillsides. Some lie in the midst of villages and towns, others in less definable centres of population and approached by lanes little changed from the old tracks that were their forerunners. Some were in such spectacular positions that one can understand why our ancestors chose to build there, though open to the elements.
Marcia’s ability to capture the scenes in her miniatures is palpable. She painted the sixty-three Anglican churches of Radnorshire for the first, hardback, edition of this book, produced for the millennium year when her husband, Robin, was president of the Royal Welsh Show. Marcia was very moved when she visited these places of worship and has sought to share this experience with us.
The texts that Penelope has chosen to go with each picture are thought provoking. She and Marcia found great joy in the preparation of this book and hope that it will prove to be as popular as the first, sold-out, edition.