I Go to Hawkley in Hampshire

[@raybeverton9969]

Thank-you Richard and Ian. Refreshing video - as usual! Love the pictures of the Yews. Thanks for driving all that way to give us 15 minutes of pleasure.

[@RichardVobes]

So pleased you enjoyed it - I was blown away.

[@barryrice157]

I've loved these videos on your camping trip Richard. Once you have been a few times you get into a routine of how to set up and organize yourself and the van. Then you find you have a bit more time to sit and read. A fire in the evening's (if aloud) is just great to stare into and contemplate life the universe and everything.

[@RichardVobes]

I am very much looking forward to more camping.

[@bexhil7]

Another great video of Hawkley in Hampshire!.💋

[@shirleylynch7529]

What a treat this was with my early cup of tea this morning. Beautiful. Trees were something else. Julia will love them. You sounded as though you were really happy. Look forward to next time.thank you

[@jeanblemings5352]

Stunning church and yew trees. I liked the interior glazed door with wooden frame in shape of tree. Modern but unusual - and the poppy stained glass window. I too was put in mind of Sompting church and it's Rheinish helm tower. Apparently the semi circular turret attached to tower at Hawkley is a stairwell. Great to share your camping trip and the brand new morning! With all the camera set ups I am surprised you had any time at all to read and / or enjoy your cuppas! Thank you for all your hard work in bringing us these beautiful videos.

[@RichardVobes]

The camera work eats the time and I am exhausted before I even start!

[@ricky-d]

Love the little moth that landed on the lens at the start (around 3m30s) that wanted to get in on the action!

[@andrewnorris2]

We should all thank, Ian. Charming video in a beautiful location. So glad you got so much out of this trip for yourself. Looking forward to the next one.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks, Andrew - very much looking forward to getting out more.

[@lancetalbott1629]

What a beautiful village. Thanks for these interesting and professional posts. I find all aspects of your channel both informative and thought provoking. Thanks.

[@RichardVobes]

So nice of you

[@jym225]

Thanks for this. Hawkley isn’t too far away from where I live and I will now try and visit.

[@SalopianBivvyman]

That yew tree, wow! Just think of all the things that it seen through history, amazing.

[@RichardVobes]

Absolutely brilliant tree!

[@annwright7552]

Lovely soundtrack to video. What an amazing church. I have passed Hawkley many times on my way to visit family in East Tisted, but never been there. Thank you for introducing us to many such gems. Camping tip - we always wore Crocs around the campsite as wet grass never ruins them, you can also shower in them, scrub dirt off in a bowl of water if needed, and just kick them off when you enter tent. Also, indoor/outdoor rugs that you can hose clean. Now available almost everywhere, even Tesco had them recently. Happy camping 😊

[@lindakane4717]

Really enjoyed this, you obviously had time for a little relaxation, and it showed ! What a beautiful church ! Although apparently Pevsner considered it ( in his inimitable style) as the 'ugliest in Hampshire '. The tower roof is as you say in a Rhenish Helm style and despite the fact that the one at St Marys, Sompting is always described as unique there are 5 others ( including Hawkley) in the country

[@MrNas42]

I'm with Pevsner in this case Linda! Looks like they tried to build something that looked contemporary with the 1,000 year old Yew trees...

[@lindakane7771]

@@MrNas42 I agree although there are some lovely features no doubt from the 20th century ie that lovely tree door, the poppy stained glass and I found the initial view of the chancel beautiful with the barrel roof

[@michaelwhite8031]

I really liked the church it probably has the atmosphere of somewhere far older. With some searching maybe it is built on the site of an ancient church.

[@cogidubnus1953]

I think it's an attractive church...Pevsner was no doubt a great man in his field, but sometimes an unmitigated ass...his book of Sussex Churches used to make me so angry sometimes, I gave it away in the end...to Richard if my memory serves...sorry Richard, it wasn't meant to be a Greek Gift, just that I knew that as a calmer and more considered reader it'd have a far safer home with you!

[@RichardVobes]

For a Victorian church I thought it wasn't bad externally. Although the symmetry was confusing.

[@francisbee69]

Absolutely terrific!

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much - will do more soon.

[@welshmanjasonpatrick8607]

Hope u enjoy camping get out more now with the weather get better nice church grounds hope for better summer Richard

[@RichardVobes]

Hoping too for sure.

[@imranzazai7404]

England is very beautiful country.

[@michaelwhite8031]

Beautiful church ! Beautiful video !!

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks, Michael.

[@bullettube9863]

One of the memories from my childhood during the summer was getting up before dawn to do my chores. Then going into the barn and throwing hay and straw down and filling the grain hopper while my dad started the milking machines. Then on weekends my friends and I would camp out in the woods at our "fort" sleeping in lean-tos and later our treehouse. Getting up early and looking around upon a new day, dew on the grass, the sun just rising. Then getting the fire going and a breakfast of bacon and eggs etc, before starting work on finishing the tree house. There are still kids in the area who use our old tree house, and doubtless many more doing the same thing all over the county. Early morning is still my favorite time!

[@richardpurvis8999]

Wow. What a fine video. Thanks.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks Richard

[@heathwagaman5566]

Seems like you felt right at home in your birth County. Such a nice gesture from your subscriber to let you use his land. Enjoyed it Richard.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks, Heath.

[@jonathanfox1355]

Beautiful village. Hope to see more camping. Great stuff

[@Etheldreda-]

How charming 🌸

[@oddiedog4376]

We often walk this area the views from the village hall across the cricket pitch to the hangers are stunning . Nearby you have Farringdon church with a wonderful old Yew also Masseys folly in the upper Farringdon is mind boggling You really need to see to believe

[@RichardVobes]

I must go back and explore more.

[@jeaniepullen9434]

So pleased your camping trip was a success and look forward to many more.

[@RichardVobes]

More to come for sure.

[@ramibu239]

Very delightful video! Loved hearing the morning bird song!!! Though the church was newer, I still found it lovely & thought the architect did a fine job at trying to keep it in the ancient style. I loved the carved arches & the stained glass windows. In particular, the floret/rosette shaped one(s).

[@simontalbot1792]

Beautiful interor decor of the Church

[@CharlieCooper3101]

Even though I'm not a morning person once I'm out and I smell the morning fresh air and see the morning dew on the ground, I do like it. Especially the smell after the rain has come down after a long time of dry weather. Hawkley looks like a wonderful peaceful little village, I've been to Hampshire many times but only to the big cities and towns, portsmouth, Winchester, gosport, fareham, Isle of wight. But would definitely love to explore the little villages. The Big Yew trees looked stunning, and the church so lovely, how nice were the stained glass windows, would love to see more around this area. great music and a great video Richard, really enjoyable Watch.

[@grantkelley6840]

Excellent again Richard. Camping Is great. Joe will love it. It is a lot of trial and error. Well done Richard. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@MrGreatplum]

Some beautiful footage in this one and I loved the music too! Early morning is the time to be out and about!

[@RichardVobes]

It really is!

[@grahamcass7420]

Ths bald explorer unleased,well almost,cracking video richard

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much.

[@tensils]

Thank you Richard that was superb. More Hampshire would be great :) As a child growing up in Manchester our Summer hols were frequently spent at my Aunt and Uncles in Hampshire and I grew to loive the County

[@RichardVobes]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@merietgenealogy]

Great to see Hawkley and its fantastic church. My maternal grandmother Amelia Taylor was born in 1884 at Tubbs Farm Hawkley. She married my maternal grandfather Charles Hooper at Hawkley in 1909. They moved to Sidlesham Sussex by 1911. Sadly they were both deceased before I was born. Amelia's older sister Frances married Charles older brother Arthur James Hooper.

[@RichardVobes]

A great family connection then.

[@tonidaverodgers9721]

I really perked up when you mentioned the Sompting church! It's the church of my family in Worthing. Burial's, weddings etc. If you ever get to Curdridge,Hants,St.Peter's church, I have a family member buried there. A stained glass window was placed in the church, in his honor. Admiral Sir Nowell Salmon,VC. He had quite a history. First and Principal aid de Camp to Queen Victoria, Admiral of the fleet to include the arranging of all the ships for Queen Victoria's Diamond jubilee. This church your presenting here is absolutely beautiful! It's the best I've seen yet with your travels. Don't know the geographics of Hawkley to my birth place. I was born in Alton, Hampshire.

[@MrNas42]

Give a Victorian architect a Saxon design style guide - and that church is what you get. Clearly they thought they ought to build something that looked in keeping with those ancient yews. What fun! Well done for getting the camera out to capture the Moon.

[@RichardVobes]

It was 3.30am and I was trotting out for a pee. Then thought, better film the moon as it looked so glorious!

[@rogermolineux9741]

You have such an engaging manner, seeming to speak as one to one. We are grateful to your friend Ian, and hope his sausages sizzle well. Do you or anyone else know of the connection of yew trees and churchyards, as also queried below?

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks, Roger - much appreciated.

[@ramibu239]

One reason - once I discovered him - that I watcg him Rodger. He has a very soothing & indeed engaging manor about him. One thing you will find as you continue to watch Richard is that he truly cares about his followers. So in a way, he is talking one on one w/ you!

[@rachelt-s]

Alton isn't far away - Jane Austen's house nearby in Chawton. Also the heritage railway. Loads to explore. 😀

[@RichardVobes]

So much to explore!

[@valpragnell6518]

Hi Richard you really must go and see Florence nightingales burial place when you go back to Hampshire, a lovely little church there as well, love your videos

[@RichardVobes]

You must email me and let me know where it is - richard at vobes dot com

[@alanbstard4]

that windscreen looks cold. Some rime back you covered the Oak and Ivy pub. It's up for sale/lease

[@paulpm57]

Hi Richard, Have you thought about an awning for the side of your van? I've seen a type of awning that fixes permanently to the side of a van and rolls out with 2 support poles to give you extra living space. This would give you additional space to sit cook and edit - even when its raining!

[@reginaceliasombinidossanto367]

Richard, I am a new subscriber over here and I would like to congrate you for the great quality of your videos . Actually good job!! By the way I Iove England and visited your lovely country many years ago in 1994 !! Nice memories...Bye bye for now!🤗

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks and welcome

[@andrewbradbury8527]

Lovely experience, nice early start!😅

[@nicstacey3605]

Arr! So you were near Hawkley. Right up in the hills; explains the no phone signal. Beautiful village & surrounds. To my shame I've never been in the church. Usually pop in the nice pub there or enjoy the trails in the area. I must e-mail you with some walks around the area and points of interest but very busy at work at the moment.

[@RichardVobes]

Do email me the walks!

[@iandance8591]

Great video Richard, nice start to my day. I liked the the music at the beginning , was that what they call gypsy jazz 👍

[@stevegee7593]

I try to miss school holidays. Its OK if you have a private field to go to.

[@simontalbot1792]

Thought the tree at 06.00 is a cracker

[@simontalbot1792]

" wisp of cloud "

[@jonnyboy2128]

Irish Yews? Is that “ Irish Yew in the name of the law”? 😂😂

[@ianbigland4618]

Rich,can you please remind me of the reason why yew trees are historically woven into Christian church yards???

[@RichardVobes]

I think the Pagans used the trees as meeting places/ceremonies and Saxons placed timber churches there, the Normal built the stone versions some time later.

[@JuliaHartley]

The churches were built on sacred yew groves hence many yews are older than the churches- There's more to it and many differing opinions but this is what makes sense to me

[@JuliaHartley]

I should have refreshed my screen as I can see there are two answers ahead of mine now haha