Wigan Album
Billinge
13 CommentsPhoto: Philip Gormley.
Item #: 30393
Several visits to the scene had been made during my second attempt, and the drawing was developed later, at home, in readiness for what was to become a completed watercolour painting.
Viewers may find this drawing's discrepencies i.e.' minor areas of perspective and my heavy-handed lines to be good reasons for them to 'look away now'.
And should they consider doing so then, perhaps, they might like to share my enjoyment of the following passage from the Rev. W.A. Wickham's Some Notes On Billinge, within which is his appealing and florid descriptions of Wigan's church bells, beforehand.
That far-away church was their parish church, to which their children had to be taken for baptism and their dead for burial.
Thither, also, they had to travel for all the other ordinances of the church.
Billinge was then part and parcel of the vast parish of Wigan, and then, as now, sometimes within the reach of the wind-borne sound of its beautiful bells.
Looks perfect to my eyes Philip and with pencil it's easily rubbed out till you get the result you're happy with!
That's right Veronica: using an eraser can only mean that something has been understood, something learnt if you like.
Nice to have heard from you again.
Looks fine to me . Lots going on in this drawing,very interesting. Pass this church quite often as I now live in St Helens(for my sins) but family still live in Wigan.
"The wind-borne sound of its beautiful bells". That line deserves a poem written around it, Philip.
Not loud, not loud, Pray what is that lovely sound,
That gently peals across the field
And echoes around the old churchyard?
It is music! Music to enchant my soul,
The bells doth toll like an ancient bard
Or Poet, with wind borne melody unfurled,
Calling to me from another world.
Who's music for all eternity dwells,
In the wind borne sound of the beautiful bells.
DTease. It looks as though Poet has won the race to embellish the Rev. Wickham's fine words, but I'm a little concerned about the mini-spate of ladders that has appeared on here, lately - you know how he's intrigued by them.
Philip, I was merely hoping to be the warm up act before the main attraction. Best regards.
It's a fine poem though, Philip. Perhaps those fine words "Rung" a bell with him!
DTease. I wish that I had chosen my words better.
Poet's verse is indeed his own response to a scene not far removed from that described by the Rev. Wickham and, as you had immediately noticed, in no way was Poet attempting to enhance the said passage.
His best regards tell me that he hasn't fallen out with me ... I heave a sigh of relief.
"On Wetlands."
My journey through that wetland's hush, on path of human tread
No more the sound of hungry mouths, the Gadwalls' partly fed.
A sudden 'click' disturbed their feed and came by Reed mace down
The shikar knew his prey had gone, then took my timely frown.
His easy grasp of something lost, my time for tactful whine
We had our say on this and that, then lauded Romney chime.
I took my leave on careful tread and thoughts of joy to come
My fireside read was sent by post, a work by London's Donne.
Brilliant detailed drawing Phil. Proportions just right.
This is the Roman Catholic church in Lower End with a junior school opposite?
Thanks, John.
It's Birchley St Mary's R.C. Church, situated in the Chapel End area of Billinge.
The school that you refer to was situated about 100 yards away by the main road and, after a valiant stand by locals, was was replaced by housing. Birchley St Mary's R.C. Primary School now stands alongside its church.