Garway
Encyclopedia
Garway is a civil parish
in south-west Herefordshire
, England
. It is set on a hillside above the River Monnow
about 10 km northwest of Monmouth
. It is a sparsely populated area, mainly agricultural in nature. There are several small centres of population: Garway, Broad Oak, The Turning and Garway Hill.
The earliest record of a monastery on the site is in the seventh century, but it is with the arrival of the Knights Templar
in 1180 that the history of the church at Garway becomes clearer. The Knights Templar
built a hut in honour of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
The excavated foundations of part of the round church can be seen clearly on the north side of the present church, and the original carved chancel arch survives. Most of the current church, which is no longer round, is probably 13th century including the massive defensible tower which was once separate from the main church building. There are numerous carvings both inside and outside the building including a green man
, a sword believed to be Templar, a fish and a snake.
Garway church is an important part of the community and in addition to regular services it is used for many other events.
The dovecote
, on private land near Garway Church, has an inscription dating it to 1326 and has been described as probably the finest dovecote in England. It was featured in the fictional BBC1 action/drama series Bonekickers
on 8 July 2008.
Garway is featured in "The Fabric of Sin", a novel written by Phil Rickman
.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in south-west Herefordshire
Herefordshire
Herefordshire is a historic and ceremonial county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire" NUTS 2 region. It also forms a unitary district known as the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is set on a hillside above the River Monnow
River Monnow
The River Monnow flows through south-west Herefordshire, England and eastern Monmouthshire, Wales.- Border River :For much of its short length it marks the border between England and Wales before it joins the River Wye at Monmouth. The Wye is also half English from Monmouth until it meets the...
about 10 km northwest of Monmouth
Monmouth
Monmouth is a town in southeast Wales and traditional county town of the historic county of Monmouthshire. It is situated close to the border with England, where the River Monnow meets the River Wye with bridges over both....
. It is a sparsely populated area, mainly agricultural in nature. There are several small centres of population: Garway, Broad Oak, The Turning and Garway Hill.
Garway church
The church is on the western edge of the parish and is dedicated to Saint Michael.The earliest record of a monastery on the site is in the seventh century, but it is with the arrival of the Knights Templar
Knights Templar
The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
in 1180 that the history of the church at Garway becomes clearer. The Knights Templar
Knights Templar
The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
built a hut in honour of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
The excavated foundations of part of the round church can be seen clearly on the north side of the present church, and the original carved chancel arch survives. Most of the current church, which is no longer round, is probably 13th century including the massive defensible tower which was once separate from the main church building. There are numerous carvings both inside and outside the building including a green man
Green Man
A Green Man is a sculpture, drawing, or other representation of a face surrounded by or made from leaves. Branches or vines may sprout from the nose, mouth, nostrils or other parts of the face and these shoots may bear flowers or fruit...
, a sword believed to be Templar, a fish and a snake.
Garway church is an important part of the community and in addition to regular services it is used for many other events.
The dovecote
Dovecote
A dovecote or dovecot is a structure intended to house pigeons or doves. Dovecotes may be square or circular free-standing structures or built into the end of a house or barn. They generally contain pigeonholes for the birds to nest. Pigeons and doves were an important food source historically in...
, on private land near Garway Church, has an inscription dating it to 1326 and has been described as probably the finest dovecote in England. It was featured in the fictional BBC1 action/drama series Bonekickers
Bonekickers
Bonekickers was a BBC drama about a team of archaeologists, set at the fictional Wessex University. It debuted on 8 July 2008 and ran for one series....
on 8 July 2008.
Garway is featured in "The Fabric of Sin", a novel written by Phil Rickman
Phil Rickman
Phil Rickman is a British author best known for writing supernatural and mystery novels, often based on conflicting forces of paganism and other religions....
.
External links
- Church and community site including Garway Church, includes location map
- Britannia, shows plan of church
- Photograph of Garway Church
- Floorplan of the Garway Complex
- Historic Herefordshire Online
- Garway Folk Weekend (June 4-6 2010) site
