Thwaite St Mary facts for kids
Thwaite St Mary is a small, quiet village in the English county of Norfolk. It is located just a few miles north of the border with Suffolk. The name 'Thwaite' means 'Clearing', which makes sense for a village surrounded by nature.
About 79 people live in Thwaite St Mary, in around 35 homes. This population is counted as part of the nearby area of Hedenham.
Because Thwaite is in the countryside, it has very little air pollution and dark night skies. This makes it a perfect spot for an astronomical observatory. This observatory is used by the University of East Anglia to study stars and planets.
The village is also next to Seething Airfield. This airfield used to be RAF Seething, an American airbase during World War II. The old control tower from 1941 is still there. It now works as a museum, telling the story of the war years and the brave 448th Bombardment Group (Heavy). Since the control tower looks just like it did during the war and the airfield is still used today, it's a popular place for charity events and air shows with a wartime theme. It's also a stop for the famous Lowestoft summer air show.
The people in Thwaite love to get together. They often organize social events and fundraisers. These events bring in visitors from all over South Norfolk and Suffolk. This strong community spirit, along with the village's beautiful countryside setting, makes Thwaite St Mary a wonderful place to live.
St Mary's Church: A Historic Place of Worship
Thwaite's church, called St Mary's, has a lively group of people who attend services. Many people from outside the village also come to this church. Families who used to live in Thwaite sometimes return to use this lovely church for special events like weddings and memorial services. The first church building was built way back in 1385.
Church Architecture and Design
The churchyard is always well-kept, and the church's amazing Norman arch doorway attracts visitors from far and wide. The square tower was built in the 14th century, replacing an older round one. It's interesting to note that the north side of the church doesn't have any windows at all! The brick porch was added in the 18th century, and parts of the church were rebuilt with brick in 1738.
St Mary's Church has a very simple, country feel. The only part that remains from medieval times is the plain font from the 15th century. However, its base looks similar to fonts found in other churches nearby. The chancel (the area around the altar) is simple and elegant. The screen separating the chancel is a nice, simple Georgian piece that was likely added when the church was rebuilt. The glass in the east window had to be fixed after it was blown out by a stray bomb during the Second World War.
