Church of St Nicholas, Kittisford

The Church of St Nicholas in the small village of Kittisford in the countryside between Wellington and Wiveliscombe is a little gem with many interesting features.  It was built of red sandstone c1480s after the building of Cothay Manor nearby and was restored in 1875.

The pulpit is dated 1610 and is made of oak.  The internal pillars and arches are made of wood (probably oak), which has been made to look like stone. They date from the Tudor period (1484-1603) and were restored in the 19th century.  It is very unusual to find wooden pillars and arches in a church.  The priest's door has the word Alleluia carved over it.  The oldest part of the church is the blocked doorway in the north wall.

There are two brasses on the wall in the south aisle: these are dedicated to Richard and Agnes Bluett (nee Verney). Richard Bluett was a farmer, who died in 1524. There is also a piscina in the south aisle.

Alleluia carved above the priest's Door

Pulpit

Nave and Chancel

Brass of Richard Bluett

Brass of Agnes Bluett

Wooden pillars and arches

Stone piscina

Font

Wooden plaque showing that £65 was raised in 1872 for the restoration of the church

West front with Tudor arch doorway

Kittisford Church

Blocked doorway on the north side

Battery Point Lighthouse, Portishead

 Battery Point Lighthouse was built in 1931 by Chance Brothers of Smethwick on a rocky promontory on the north west edge of Portishead.  The deep water channel known as King Road passes very close to the coast at this point.  The lighthouse, which is also known as Portishead Point Lighthouse, is nine metres tall and consists of a black metal pyramid on a square concrete base.  The lighthouse is maintained by Bristol Port Company.  In 1999 they announced that they wanted to demolish the lighthouse and replace it with a modern navigational aid.  After a campaign by local residents, they agreed to build a replica of the original lighthouse.

Battery Point Lighthouse

Container ship passing Battery Point Lighthouse

Battery Point Lighthouse

A two tonne bronze fog signal bell was installed at Battery Point Lighthouse in 1939.  It was removed c1998.  It was found in a warehouse owned by Bristol Port Company in Avonmouth in 2010.  After a campaign by local residents, it was acquired by Portishead Town Council in 2012.  It was restored and re-sited on Wyndham Way in 2013.

Battery Point Bell on Wyndham Way

There is a Merchant Navy Memorial close to Battery Point Lighthouse with a brass plaque attached to it.  The words on the plaque are as follows:

“This stone is situated here at Battery Point, the closest place on the coast of the United Kingdom which large ships pass.

It is dedicated to seafarers of the West Country who, since the Middle Ages, on voyages of discovery and in times of peace and war, have passed this point, some never to return.

“Oh hear us when we cry to thee, for those in peril on the sea.”

Erected by the Merchant Navy Association North Somerset Branch, 2005”

Merchant Navy Memorial at Battery Point