Stephen D. Smith photos at Borley
As an amateur photographer, I probably get through at least one roll of
36-exposure film per week. This means that - in the 12 years or so since I
last visited Borley - I have acquired some 22,000 pictures. . . . here are some of my photos of
Borley that I [managed] to locate. . . . in an attempt to give a
sort of guided tour of the area.
The south-east aspect of Borley church, as seen from the road that passes
through the village. This is one of my favourite photographs of the place.
Some might think that this north-east aspect (snapped from an adjacent
meadow) has a more sinister look about it.
The church's south-east aspect again. The white building on the left of the
picture is Borley Place. . . the window visible in this picture is blacked out
(just as the dining room window in the "new" rectory was bricked up), so
that the churchyard cannot be viewed through it. One can only speculate at
the reason(s) for this.
Here are the results of a fire in the church in 1986. The cause of
this fire was put down to an electrical fault, although the church had
recently been re-wired. Make of it what you will.
In the churchyard is the grave of the Reverend Henry (Harry) Foyster Bull
(d. 1927). Note that the cross which surmounted this headstone has been
deliberately broken off, like so many others here. One can well understand
the annoyance of the locals at these mindless acts of vandalism.
The "Rectory Cottage" (as it was originally called) or "Coach House" (as it
now seems to be known) seen from the churchyard. This building is, in
itself, an imposing structure but it was nothing compared to the massive
rectory that stood behind it.
(from "The Most Haunted House in England") The Rectory and Rectory Cottage seen from the tower of Borley church. The cottage is on the picture's right and the rectory's front door was located below the pinnacle tower seen at top left. The gate seen here is the north gate (not the south gate that appears in picture #10).
(from "The Most Haunted House in England") The front door of Borley Rectory. Above this was a room that was converted into a chapel and, above that, was the pinnacle tower. The driveway, where the motor vehicle is parked, ran between the north and south gates. The Rectory Cottage is visible behind and to the left of the motor vehicle.
The concreted drive that, originally, swept round to the front
door of the rectory. Although a number of dwellings have been built on what
was, previously, the extensive garden of the rectory, it is perhaps
interesting to note that nothing whatsoever has been erected on the site of
the rectory itself or - as this picture shows - immediately in front of it.
Only grass now covers the site.
The road through Borley, looking south. In the lower right hand corner, is
the front wall of the Rectory Cottage and, near centre left, is the south
gate.
The road through Borley, looking north. In the centre, behind the group of
trees, is the Rectory Cottage (the rectory would have been on the left of
the picture) and, on the right, is Borley Place.
Further north. Another view of Borley Place, with the church adjacent
to it.
Finally, as I have said before... If you do visit Borley, please be mindful
of the feelings of the locals - both living and dead - and be respectful of
their property.
With best wishes,
Stephen D. Smith
London, U.K.