Northlew

As at Sheepwash, the thatched cottages and houses stand around a large central square, which is dominated by a charming 15th-century church standing on the hilltop above the River Lew. The church i noted for its Norman remains and the exceptional (mainly Tudor) woodwork in the roof, bench ends and screen. Also of interest is one of the stained glass windows, which features four saints. St Thomas, to whom the church is dedicated, is shown holding a model of the church; St Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, holds the priory gateway; while St Joseph carries the Holy Grail and the staff that grew into the famous Glastonbury thorn tree. The fourth figure is simply clad in a brown habit and carries a bishop’s crozier and a spade. This is St Brannock who is credited with being the first man to cultivate the wild lands of this area by clearing woodland and ploughing and could therefore be regarded as the patron saint of farmers.