IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Mill Road, DISS, IP22 5TW

Off Mill Road http://www.burstonchapel.co.uk/

For a view of the church see > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773271.

St Mary's church > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773271 - it lost its tower in the 18th century - in the village of Burston adjoins the village green and the Burston Strike School > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773265. When the teachers Mr and Mrs Higdon in 1914 clashed with the parson and the county education committee they were evicted from the school house and opened a rival school in 1917, with local support and the national trades union backing. The Strike School closed in 1939 and now houses a museum. Services are still being held in St Mary's church. However, the nave > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773301 has been cleared of pews, functioning as a community room where concerts, art exhibitions, coffee mornings and other fund-raising events are being held. The chancel is separated from the nave by a wrought-iron screen > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773305 with a door in it. The pulpit > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773323 remains in its place as do the 14th century font > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773331 and a fine set of royal arms > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773334 for James I still hangs on the west wall.

On Mill Road at the junction with Crown Green, Rectory & Diss Roads near The Burston Crown Public House

The bridge seen in the foreground leads a path from St Mary's > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773271 churchyard to the Strike School and to the village green beyond. When the teachers Mr and Mrs Higdon in 1914 clashed with the parson and the county education committee they were evicted from the school house and opened a rival school in 1917, with local support and the national trades union backing. The Strike School closed in 1939 and now houses a museum.

St Mary's church > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773271 - it lost its tower in the 18th century - in the village of Burston adjoins the village green and the Burston Strike School > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773265. When the teachers Mr and Mrs Higdon in 1914 clashed with the parson and the county education committee they were evicted from the school house and opened a rival school in 1917, with local support and the national trades union backing. The Strike School closed in 1939 and now houses a museum. Services are still being held in St Mary's church. However, the nave > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773301 has been cleared of pews, functioning as a community room where concerts, art exhibitions, coffee mornings and other fund-raising events are being held. The chancel is separated from the nave by a wrought-iron screen > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773305 with a door in it. The pulpit > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773323 remains in its place as do the 14th century font > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773331 and a fine set of royal arms > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1773334 for James I still hangs on the west wall.

Burston church lost its tower in 1753 when it collapsed and it was never rebuilt. A small bellcote was erected to house a single bell. Really there is little of interest here but what there is, I suppose is worth a visit The church dates from the 14th c. and the interesting plain octagonal font is coeval with the church. Around the base are the figures of eight saints. For some reason the chancel is barred to visitors by a large pair of iron gates which are well padlocked. Above the south porch are the wonderfully preserved Royal Arms of James I. The nave has been stripped of all the benches and individual chairs and tables scattered throughout. I fear that the church is turning into a village hall and although it is a sign of the times it, and the offensive iron gates, somehow de-sanctifies of the church.