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Weston
Under Penyard, Herefordshire
is a small village which lies two miles east of Ross-on-Wye. Most
travel there by road but it is far nicer to walk the forest path
over 'The Penyard'. If making your way on foot however, listen for
the sound of machine guns first as the Territorial Army have a firing
range mid footpath and if they are shooting it is too dangerous
to cross. There is a red flag either side of the range which marks
danger times. This warning is best not ignored, unless you
wish to visit the church on final business rather than for worship
or as a tourist.
The
church of St. Lawrence, at National Grid Reference SO 63102 / 23251,
is of a similar style to that of St.
Mary's, Ross and the 14th century west tower once had a spire.
The spire was dismantled in 1750 after being damaged by lightning.
St.
Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of Rome in the third century.
The Prefect of Rome ordered him to hand over the treasures of the
church, whereupon he gathered the sick and poor in his care and
said, 'These are the Treasures of the church'. As
a legend has it, he was roasted to death on a grid iron as punishment
for his defiance.
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