I first visited Bodley’s church of the Holy Angels in Hoar Cross in the mid-1970s. It made a great impression on me for its solidity and seriousness and sense of high Victorian conviction. It did so again today: big, like an abbey church, with no money spared by the widow, Emily Meynell Ingram, on its ornament and decoration.
We had plenty of time to admire the outside as there was a wedding going on:-
Good gargoyles:-
And a wonderful, richly ornamented, grand interior:-
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
Congratulations on your knighthood – Charles Saumarez Smith has a rich tone when prefaced by Sir. I have tried it a few times today much to my dogs surprise. Bodley runs in your veins, surely, having worshipped in his chapel every morning during your days at Marlborough. Wiggy Gough described Stanhope’s paintings as maudlin. Perhaps they are ?
I am thrilled to know two people on the Birthday Honours List. One is Rosemary Powell MBE, the 103 year old poppy seller and the other is you.
Congratulations, so well deserved.
Yes, but the chapel at Marlborough is not as richly decorated, nor as impressive as Hoar Cross. Charles
Congratulations Charles. Bodley’s use of a higher chancel than nave was a direct influence on Craig Hamilton’s recent design of a chapel honouring Gavin Stamp: http://www.craighamiltonarchitects.com/projects/church-of-the-holy-angels-arcadia-in-memoriam-gavin-stamp/