Follow me through a full consecutive journey - from beginning to end - on my camper-van-camino
Paid Memberships to the Genius Loci Digest not only help keep the Digest free and public facing, but also helps keep me on the road and provide free photography for some historic locations. Here's a day where I photographed a building that was supported by Member Powered Photography.
St. Peter and St. Paul, Broadwell, Oxfordshire
Having the Genius Loci Digest Members as my client made me feel a bit apprehensive. The full day diary was recorded live for the members to keep up to date with the photo shoot as it happened.
Andy Marshall's Genius Loci Digest
St. Peter and St. Paul is a remarkable medieval building set within a picturesque Cotswold village. It has associations with the Knights Templar.
On the day of the shoot I walk to the church and notice a thing of beauty - the cottage next to the entrance is having its thatch renewed. What a privilege to see it in process.
As I work I can hear the bill hook of the thatcher outside. His dog Spike sits below the scaffold waiting for his master to finish.
The interior of the church is full of atmosphere and holds the whispers of the past in its orientation, its archaeology and in the graffiti on its walls.
The day was magical with help from medieval historian, Steve Tomlin and Church Warden Annabel Molyneaux.
"What a wonderful couple of days and also for the memories and possibilities which are following on. I'm so grateful that you came and explored what we have here in a way which I'm just not able to achieve or the phenomena which I haven't even been able to conceive. I feel as if the church has grown a few more dimensions, or maybe there has been a massive increase in pixel density, or I can see colours which I hadn't been able perceive in the past.”
Annabel Molyneaux (Church Warden)
Members can see a short film of my work at Broadwell below:
Andy Marshall's Genius Loci Digest
St. Peter and Paul can be visited on most days. The church holds a series of events throughout the year and Annabel (the Church Warden) is particularly welcoming. More information about opening times and events (with contact details) here:
Broadwell Church
Medieval historian, Steve Tomlin is holding an immersive talk on the material culture and graffiti of the church on November 11th 2023. Enquire via the website above.
Spend some time around Broadwell
Bicycle
An intermediate cycle ride that takes in Broadwell from Carterton and Burford.
komoot
Walk
A beautiful walk through a remarkable landscape that can be started and finished in Broadwell
komoot
Members can access multi-media content on Broadwell via the Broadwell Project Page below:
Andy Marshall's Genius Loci Digest
On the day of photography I get permission to lodge in a field close to the church.
Woody is communications central - where I update the members with new content on the day.
It's from here I keep in touch with duty ops at Brize Norton to try and get permission to use the drone for aerial shots.
Eventually we get a small window of opportunity to get the drone up.
Readers of the Genius Loci Digest
What stays with readers
That aura, those echoes - the muted light is transporting. What a space to feel rooted in history. I'd love to make that journey myself; you've stirred the opera lover and architectural dreamer in me.
From the heritage portfolio
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