Out of service

Candlelight is a pleasant atmospheric addition to a carol service in a country church, but for some churches it can still be the only means of lighting. These are the churches only used on rare occasions and in many cases now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust.

Nowadays referred to as honourably 'retired' rather than redundant, they are those whose history or architectural features are such that when, for reasons such as the movement of populations or the building of newer churches, they no longer have a congregation to serve, all efforts are made to save them from conversion into houses or to business use.

This is when the trust can step in and take over the responsibility for their upkeep. They remain consecrated and still part of their original parishes. Locally, it cares for four churches - two in the diocese of Gloucester, at Shorncote and at Eastleach and two in the diocese of Bristol, those at Leigh, near Cricklade and Inglesham.

All Saints' Church, Shorncote, was built during the reign of Henry II, 1154-1172, and a south porch and north transeptal chapel were added in the 14th century, together with a double bellcote above the chancel arch.

The lords of the manor, the Berkeley family, carried out the second stage of the construction and their coat of arms is still shown in the east window. The Parliamentary army is believed to have removed the bells during the English Civil War, but one was replaced in 1706.

The last rector was a local man, the Rev William Bartram, who was also headmaster of the then very small Cirencester Grammar School. After his death, Shorncote became part of the parish of Somerford Keynes and the vicar there, the Rev William Fawcett, raised £550 to have the church restored under the direction of the architect William Butterfield, who gave his services free of charge.

The church at Shorncote is now used three or four times a year, as is that at Eastleach Martin, near Lechlade. One of these is a special service in May, Keble Evensong, held to commemorate John Keble, one of the founders of the Oxford Movement who preached his first sermon when a curate here.

The church of St Michael and St Martin contains both Norman and 14th century work; the three beautiful Decorated-style windows, the tracery, mouldings and stone carvings are considered of particularly high quality for so remote a building, which also has attractive woodwork of various periods and a Perpendicular-style font.

Regular services now take place at St Andrew's Church, Eastleach Turville, only 200 yards away on the opposite bank of the River Leach.

Only the chancel of All Saint's Church, Leigh, near Cricklade remains of the building that was removed from its site in low-lying fields near the source of the River Thames to a drier, more convenient site in 1896-1897.

Those who attend its one annual service, on the last Sunday of July, can see in the old chancel, which is reached from Waterhay, its 13th and 15th century arches and windows, the east gable of the old nave, which remains to protect it, and the 17th century texts painted on the walls.

At Christmas, Easter and harvest-time, services are held in the church of St John the Baptist at Inglesham, near Highworth. Another church close to the River Thames, it stands on a slight mound among water-meadows.

Mainly 13th century, it has a series of paintings beginning from that date, and features from many periods up to the 19th century. William Morris, who lived nearby at Kelmscott, oversaw a modest campaign of repairs in 1888-1889 and he guarded against changes to its uniquely unspoilt character.