Bradfield Church
By Paul Coleman
Bradfield Church, located in High Bradfield in Sheffield, was built around the 12th century, when Priests who were visiting would stay overnight in the sunken Vestry. This church was originally a chapelry in the parish of St Mary the Virgin, Ecclesfield until 1868 when it became a parish in its own right. Baptisms marriages and burials date from 1559, with my parents getting married there in July 12th 1975. A watch house built many years ago to combat body snatchers can still be found at the church gates.
Photograph Right - "Bradfield Church"
Shot with a Canon Powershot A80 + Hoya Circular Polarizer.
On my way to the church I decided to travel up into the moors just above the church to look for some good snow to photograph. I was taken quite by surprise when I had to drive along this trench carved through a snowdrift by local farmers. I'm 5'11" and it towered above me!
Photograph Left - "Snowdrift"
Shot with a Canon Powershot A80.
Here is a view of Agden Reservoir from up in the moors. Agden Reservoir was completed in 1869 and holds 559 million gallons of water when full.
Photograph Right - "Agden Reservoir"
Shot with a Canon Powershot A80 + Hoya Circular Polarizer.
After spending 20 minutes trying to avoid getting the fence in shot, I experimented to see if it would provide some foreground interest, however it is a bit too lifeless and dull to add interest. This shot does however show the isolation of the snow covered hills.
Photograph Left - "Snowy Hills"
Shot with a Canon Powershot A80 + Hoya Circular Polarizer.
I finally arrived at the church and was greeted with my first photo opportunity at the gates. This stained glass window now looks filthy and dark, but I can imagine it once looking spectacular and colourful. Perhaps the summer weather may bring some better photo opportunities here.
Photograph Right - "Stained Glass"
Shot with a Canon Powershot A80 + Hoya Circular Polarizer.
Here is the main tower. The bells in the tower still ring every hour to let you know what time it is, even if you can’t see the clock face, which by the way still works and is very accurate.
Photograph Left - "Clock Tower"
Shot with a Canon Powershot A80 + Hoya Circular Polarizer.
This shot is the view seen from the church door.
Photograph Right - "Church View"
Shot with a Canon Powershot A80 + Hoya Circular Polarizer.
While taking this shot of the grave stones I discovered I was standing right next to the resting place of Jenny Crapper. This brought back memories of when I was young, as I used visit Jenny a long time ago with my Grandmother during the summer. My Grandmother lived at Nether Farm in Lower Bradfield for most of her life, and my Grandfather also rests at Bradfield Church Cemetery, so this photo of the vivid colours of the flowers left by the relatives of those here seemed a fitting way to remember them by.
Photograph Left - "Grave Stones"
Shot with a Canon Powershot A80 + Hoya Circular Polarizer.
This shot shows the view of Lower Bradfield from the cemetery above.
Photograph Right "Lower Bradfield View"
Shot with a Canon Powershot A80 + Hoya Circular Polarizer.
I hope to bring you more stories from the Parish of Bradfield soon.
Paul
