Jack Frost & The Fighting Parson

The tartist and I were up early yesterday to be ready for an 8.00am start. Once a month we host a breakfast club at the artcafe and when I started the car the thermometer was reading -4°c and as daylight arrived everywhere was frosted white. Once we'd cleared the breakfast things I took a little stroll around for ten minutes with my camera the frost was thawing fast but I managed a few 'snaps' to share...


A couple of hardy souls enjoy a coffee outside


Leaves in the churchyard


Butchers and Church


Inscription on the churchgates ~ Charles Pierrepont Edwards M.C. Vicar 1898 -1946

I managed to glean this little tidbit of information about the vicar commemorated on the gates from the West Mersea town council website.

Rev. C. Pierrepont Edwards
Sometimes known as The Fighting Parson. Whilst serving as a Curate in London's East End, Pierrepont was always ready to settle a dispute with his fists if necessary. He served with the Essex Yeomanry in the Boer War and during the 1st World War became chaplain to the 5th Essex Infantry Brigade. The Reverend was awarded the Military Cross for his gallant efforts rescueing the wounded at Gallipoli. After the war he returned to one of his jobs - that of Clerk to West Mersea Parish Council.

Sounds to me like quite a character.