IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Heathfield, TAUNTON, TA4 1DL

The war memorial in the churchyard of the Church of St John the Baptist was erected probably during the early 1920s, as part of the great wave of commemoration of the sacrifice made by the Fallen from communities across the country. It commemorates three brothers who lost their lives during the First World War and who were the sons of the late Reverend E P Spurway, a former vicar of St John the Baptist. The memorial is situated close to the Spurway family burial plot.

Another view of the cross shown in Image "Late C13, restored c1869. Red sandstone with Ham stone sculpture ... The east face is enriched with a crocketed niche containing a headless male figure in flowing robes, thought perhaps to be a Prior of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (the previous patrons of the Church)" http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=271023 .

The picturesque little 13th Century church of St John the Baptist lies just off the Taunton to Wiveliscombe road, from where its tower can be seen.

The standing cross in St John the Baptist’s churchyard was erected during the medieval period, and is considered to date from either the C13, when the church was originally built, or the C15. The shaft has a relief carving of a male figure which is considered to possibly be either a Prior of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, former patrons of the church, or a representation of St John the Baptist. The cross was restored in the mid-C19, probably by Devon architect Edward Ashworth, who carried out a major restoration of the church at that time.

Looking towards buildings at Manor Farm.

The church is known to have existed in the 1160s however there may have been a church building on the site before that time. The current tower remains from the 13th century building however the rest of the church, including the chancel was largely rebuilt as part of Victorian restoration in the 1841 by Edward Ashworth, with the vestry being added in 1869 and 1860. At this time box pews and the font were removed and replaced. The parish is part of the Deane Vale benefice within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

Another view on a much gloomier day, of Image, through whose churchyard footpath T18/20 passes. Though the tower is C13, most of the rest was heavily renewed in the C19 http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=271022&mode=adv .