Page 16 - NewsandViews 2023 whole publication

Discover an ‘unknown’ treasure! Len Wigg

About 20 years ago the journalist Simon Jenkins produced a TV series and then a book about ‘The 1000
best Parish Churches in England’. He gave them star ratings. Number 18 in the list with 5 stars was
Christchurch Priory! He added ‘This is probably the least known of the top 30’.

I would like to invite you to make your own discovery. In the past 12 years I have become a tour guide
there, and also assistant archivist to enable me to do further research. Apart from a basic on-line tour, I
have written a number of themed scripts. One, which some Bournemouth and New Milton Friends have
experienced, is about the links between medieval monastic spirituality and Quakers, where I read
passages from each in the Quire, where the Augustinians would have spent 5 hours a day at their
devotions.

Other themes include the different ways in which lives were celebrated by tombstones or other
memorials; the women who used their skills to create flags, altar frontals and banners; the stories behind
some of the memorials; the stonemasons skills and art – inside and outside. Because I was a steward on
Saturdays I often had the opportunity to meet and learn from architects and other craftsmen visiting and
exploring, who opened my eyes to details I had overlooked before.

nd
Tours could be combined with a cream tea (Tuesdays, but NOT the 2 in the month) starting at 2pm. and
costing £10. A one hour themed tour costs £5 and could be also on a Tuesday at other times, or other
days subject to the Priory being available.

Thanks to modern technology I could prepare a Zoom introduction for you. Paradoxically, because of
Covid and other constraints I have many pictures of objects and places you are not allowed to visit or see,
like the south crypt. Let’s have a conversation about your small group, 6-10 Friends please, coming soon
to explore this gem and treasure in our neighbourhood. It is much easier to do tours outside of the
holiday season!

16