Some of the large stones at Avebury.

We were amused to see some of the people at the site hugging the larger stones as if they actually were portals to the past or of some spiritual significance. To the people who erected them they probably were; but in the end nowadays they’re just stones:-

Standing stone and rampart:-

I had noticed that Avebury wasn’t far from the direct route back north from our trip to Bath etc so made sure to visit the site on the way back up.

We parked in the National Trust car park and walked to the Henge. I didn’t realise until after we returned and travelled on that it is the main road which actually cuts through the site.

Welcome Board :-

The site is extensive and consists of several stone circles and earthworks.

Stone circle from “avenue” into the site:-

Closer view of inner circle:-

Looking back to ‘avenue’ entrance:-

Showing part of Avebury village:-

‘Avenue’ from rampart:-

Atworth lies on the A 365 in West Wiltshire. I couldn’t help noticing its War Memorial as we passed through, and of course stopped to photograph it. It turned out to be a repurposed clock tower originally erected to commemorate Queen Victoria as the longest reigning UK monarch, which the plaque here notes. Note Great War 100th anniversary bench:-

Great War dedication. The cartouche also lists the names of those who served in The Great War:-

Second World War Dedication, below the depiction of Queen Victoria.  This Roll of Honour for those who served begins with the name of one serviceman killed. Note Second World War memorial bench, complete with dove of peace:-

In a small cemetery beside Atworth War Memorial lies the grave of Driver A R Brown, Royal Army Service Corps, died 6/6/1917, aged 22:-

Bathford is a village a few miles north of Bradford-on-Avon, where we stayed during our trip to Bath, Wells etc.

We stopped for a look around on pur way back north.

In the grounds of St Swithun’s Church I found its War Memorial, a cross surmounting a pillar on a square base with gabled edges:-

Dedications to both wars:-

Other names for both wars:-

Great War names:-

In the churchyard there was one war grave of Second Lieutenant E C Guillebauld, Worcestershire Regiment, 3/6/1915, aged 32:-

Midsomer Norton is a little further north than Stratton-on-the-Fosse. We were intrigued by the name and its similarity to a certain TV murder mystery series but Midsomer Norton is not twee nor quaint in the way the villages on that TV show are.

Its War Memorial is a cenotaph situated on a footbridge over the River Somer running by the main street:-

Great War names Andrews-Purnell:-

Great War names Rogers-Woods. Second World War names below:-

We passed through Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Somerset, on our way back north from Glastonbury. Its War Memorial, a pillar surmounted by a lantern cross, lies on the corner of the main A 367 road through and Church Road.

1914 – 1918 to the glorious memory of (names):-

1914 – 1918 on whose souls may God have mercy:-

1939-1945 dedication and names:-

Safe return dedication. In thanksgiving to God/ for the safe return of those/ who from this neighbourhood/ went to the Great Wars/ 1914 – 1918 and 1939 – 1945:-

Only minor deco but a bit surprising to see any at all.

The stand out was Boots. The tiles are classic deco:-

Earthfare has rule of three in upper windows which are possibly Critall. I suspect this is a former Woolworths:-

Children’s Hospice South West is very minor deco:-

We had parked opposite Glastonbury’s War Memorial, a Celtic type cross surmounting a scrolled column,which stands by the main street.

Dedications and names:-

Great War Names Could-Mullins:-

Great War Names Parkes-Wootton:-

Not the music festival, the town.

On leaving Wells we saw a sign that said Glastonbury 8. We thought if we’re so close we might as well have a look.

We pulled up outside a bookshop.  Sadly it was full of Tarot, mysticism, incense and all sorts of woo.

The whole town was a bit like that.

There was some nice old architecture. This is now a pub, though:-

The sign says Galstonbury Tribunal but this is very old:-

This is now Nationwide:-

More old architecture, unusual style to left, too:-

Again old, but now the town’s Post Office:-

The War Memorial for the city of Wells in Somerset is in the grounds of St Cuthbert’s Church, on St Cuthbert’s Street. It has the form of a pillar surmounted by a lantern cross with bronze figures set on a square plinth above an octagonal base.

The Great War names are in square panels on the plinth. World War 2 names have been inscribed between the first and second octagonal steps:-