St Peter’s in Coughton, Warwickshire

There are occasions – even for a generally unholy lot like us – when it seems that only a church will do. For those times, our venerable institution of choice is the Parish Church of St Peter in Coughton, Warwickshire.

St Peter’s was where Roy’s sister Lyndsay wedded John Clemmow more than 30 years ago – both Lyndsay and her sister Cheryll had sung in its church choir – and it was there that our daughter, Wendy, was christened in 1980.

The base of this odd-looking font, which took its present form in the 13th century, is thought to be an 8th-century font turned upside-down; it also survived Wendys christening at the end of 1979

St Peter’s hosted Roy’s and my wedding blessing on a clear, cold winter’s day in 1996 (20 years ago next month!), and son Carl in turn married Carrie Grey at the same altar in July, 2009.

Hello’s – Round One

Roy’s baby sister Lyndsay Titchmarsh (almost Clemmow) entering St Peter’s with their dad, Ken Titchmarsh

Lyndsay and John Clemmow signing the registry at St Peter’s in Coughton

Round Two

Roy and I received our marriage blessing in St Peter's, Coughton, on 21 December 1996, after first tying the knot on 12 December at Gretna Green, over the Scottish border — Roy and I received our marriage blessing in St Peter’s, Coughton, on 21 December 1996, after first tying the knot on 12 December at Gretna Green, over the Scottish border. That’s son Carl doing the reading, and daughter Wendy on the left

A better photo of that stained-glass window - one of many provided for in the will of Sir Robert Throckmorton 1468-1518), the builder of St Petersss — A better photo of that stained-glass window – one of several provided for in the will of Sir Robert Throckmorton (1468-1518), the builder of St Peters in Coughton, Warwickshire

Round Three

One gorgeous summer’s day in July 2009, Carl and his best man Mike McClure..

Carrie Titchmarsh (née Grey), navigating the mid-aisle tomb with her dad Colin (off-camera)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Carrie Titchmarsh, bride

Goodbyes

When Roy’s dad, Ken Titchmarsh, left this world in 1999, his funeral service was held at St Peter’s. And now, most sadly, we have just been back to celebrate the long, full and happy life of Roy’s mother, Leila, the much-loved matriarch of the Titchmarsh family who passed away peacefully on 11 November at the grand old age of 93.

Gatecrashers?

When the day after Leila’s funeral turned bright and beautiful, Roy and I headed back to take a few photos. St Peter’s is in the grounds of Coughton Court, a National Trust property that was closed that day – something special about Fridays? – so, undeterred, we climbed over the gate.