If you have been into St Edward’s, Stow, in the past months, you will have noticed something missing from the wall near the South Door. The long overdue professional conservation of our very large 17th- century painting of The Crucifixion got underway on 23rd October 2024. In a fascinating process, the painting was carefully removed from the wall, given initial cleaning and protective repairs, removed from its frame and then rolled around a large drum before being removed to the Bristol studio of International Fine Art Conservation Studios. The painting will return to Stow in July 2025. During its absence, an 75% scale facsimile, generously provided by local firm Embrace Building Wraps, will hang in its place.The painting has hung in this church since 1837, when Mr Chamberlayne of Maugersbury donated it, having purchased it in Bruges, Flanders. Attribution to Gaspar de Crayer, court painter in the Southern Netherlands in the early 1600s, is now thought inaccurate. Experts have suggested it may be by Jan Baptist Herregouts (c.1640 - 1721) of Antwerp and Bruges.In view of the size of the canvas, the conservation process is very expensive and far beyond any justifiable cost for St Edward’s. However, the painting is an integral part of the church’s heritage and needs to be kept in a fit condition for the benefit of future generations. Fortunately, we have been successful in getting grants and donations that cover most of the cost from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Ian M Foulerton Charitable Trust, the National Churches Trust, the Leche Trust, St Andrew's Conservation Trust, Laslett's (Hinton) Charity and private donors.
In August there was filming in Condicote for the Sister Boniface Mysteries Season Three. The Pound, with St Nicholas in the background, will be in season three episode three. We understand that filming was also taking place in gardens around the parish. Season 1 is showing on the BBC at the moment and if you have catch up tv you can see all of the first season on the BBC and seasons one and two on U.Those of us who live in the North Cotswolds can spend many hours watching out for local landmarks and shouting at the tv when locations don't match up. The vicar is well known for this when watching Inspector Morse, Lewis and Shoestring.
We love weddings and our four churches of St Mary's Upper and Lower Swell, St Nicholas in Condicote and St Edward's in Stow on the Wold provide a perfect backdrop for your big day. The village churches are small and are perfect for a small country wedding of up to 60 guests. St Edward's Stow on the Wold is much larger and can accommodate up to 220 guests. There is also the iconic north door which provides a frame for unique wedding photos.If you live in the parish then it is really easy and you just need to contact the Revd Karen, the priest in charge of the four churches, on revdkaren@stedwardsstow.org.uk to chat through how we help you plan your wedding.If you don't live in the parish there you can still have your wedding here if you have a qualifying connection. You might have lived in the parish in the past for at least six months, or you were baptised (christened) or confirmed in any of our churches.If your parents or grandparent's were married in one of our churches you can do the same. Finally, if your parents have lived in the parish for at least six months or if you have attended one of our churches for at least six months you can hold your wedding here. If you are not sure then please contact us. If you live too far away to create a qualifying connection you can have a wedding blessing at one of our churches. The official Church of England website is here and has lots of information about planning a wedding.https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/your-church-wedding/just-engaged/finding-church-your-wedding