GARGOYLES, GROTESQUES AND GRAVES..

Thank you for taking a look at my web site of images taken of gargoyles, grotesques and old gravestones taken at the churches that I have visited.

  Since September 2006, I have been taking photographs for my main web site, Robs Churches. This is a website that looks at village churches that can be found within a 20 miles radius of Peterborough in the UK.A link to that site can be found by clicking on the link at the foot of the page.

  I am located in Peterborough, and photograph in that area, as well as South Lincolnshire, Huntingdonshire, Rutland, East Northants and Norfolk.

Since starting to photograph churches I have become very interested in the gargoyles and grotesques that are often to be found in these churches. I also developed an interest in some beautifully carved gravestones, mainly from the 18th Century, that I saw.

  The idea behind this web site is just to have somewhere to store all of these kinds of photographs together. Many of the photographs will have appeared in my main web site, but this second site will also give me the opportunity to share a few other pictures that would otherwise have remained unseen.

Some of the gargoyles and grotesques featured here.....but only a very few....could be termed as being cute. Most are anything but cute though, such as the dog with bared fangs,laid back ears and wide eyed stare from Luddington In The Brook, Northants. Every postman's worst nightmare, pictured above left.

  Also pictured on this page above left, a glorious gargoyle from Kelby, South Lincs, whilst below right....well, when you've got to go, you've got to go!!! A superb gargoyle from Folkingham in South Lincolnshire.

Below that, on the right, the grotesque in need of a shave, with four fearsome looking teeth comes from Hamerton close to Huntingdon, with the Owl like creature with the surprised expression to the right of that coming from Ingoldsby in South Lincs

in the pages of this site you will see the art, skill and imagination of the stonemason expressed. You will see strange bird like creatures, some with feathers and some with scales. You will see human effigies, nearly all of whom are in sore need of a good dentist. You will see the famous "Mooning" Gargoyle of Glinton who expresses his discontent by exposing his backside in the direct line of Peterborough Cathedral.

  You will see a wide variety of creatures stricking out their tongues and exposing their rears.

  This is my tribute to the stonemasons, some of whom have been passed over hundreds of years ago, whose work and imagination still live on today for us to enjoy.

Pictured below left "Mooning" gargoyle from high on the tower at Easton On The Hill near Stamford. To the right of that a "rustic" carved head from Alconbury. Below that on the left, a glorious gargoyle from Leasingham near to Sleaford. To the right of that, a gargoyle at Castor pictured in glorious sunshine.

This website will also have a section devoted to the art of the gravestone. Many of the photographs included on this site will feature symbols of Man's mortality. Symbols carved in to the gravestones include Skulls, Crossed Bones, Hourglasses (sometimes with wings to denote the passing of time), Coffins or the Grave Diggers Tools of Pick Shovel and Lantern. Sometimes Old Father Time will be present. Other graves that I think are of interest will also be included such as graves illustrating the tools of the deceased's trade.

  I know that this type of thing is not to everyone's taste. I do not photograph modern graves, and will not do so.I am trying to record some of the better examples of this type of art before they are finally lost to the elements. Thanks for your interest. Robin Peel (Site Owner)