A bit of an audible gasp here with the closing line of Hardy's brief poem: "We've got as far as poison gas." Still, it's not difficult to understand how WWI could have made a cynic out of almost anyone. Nevertheless, I have a feeling that if Hardy had walked into that beautiful church today -- 100 years after that poem was written -- had heard that perfect music on such a charming organ and felt how deeply he was appreciated, his heart might have recognized that humans don't give up on beauty all that easily. Especially when they have someone like you, Ben, to remind them.
Again, thank you Ben for your contrary voice in a mad, mad, mad world. Peace and joy is found in God, and in His music, so thank you for sharing it with us!
Simply a wonderful video presentation that was more than visually appealling! Please accept my sincere compliment in how you use the elements of dialogue, narrative, poetry, AND musical selection in creating an extremely enjoyable & memoriable offering! Well done, sir! These Sunday offerings have become such a welcomed life routine for me which ALWAYS brings a smile to my face & emotional uplift to my soul. I sincerely appreciate your talents, your efforts, & must thank you for sharing such with us viewers! This is Peter M; out!
My most sincere hope is that other young people will be drawn to your channel, dear Ben, and will want to learn how to play the organ. It is indeed a glorious instrument!❤
Good Evening Ben from New Jersey. I loved St. Michael's Church and the beautiful decorations with flowers. Brought tears to my eyes listening to you reading Thomas Hardy's beautiful poem to his wife. Thank you for playing Baroque music. Another wonderful way to end Sunday Evening.
I need to tell you my wife and I recently, well in June this year walked from Tisbury to Lyme Regis 120km in ten days with a company based in your very own hometown of Salisbury. The walk was called in the footsteps of Thomas Hardy. Simply delightful it was, the weather was perfect and the views and villages sublime! Greeting from Australia!
It’s dreadful that Thomas Hardy was not buried as he had so wished. The ‘Dead March’ from Saul was also performed at the funeral of George Washington, Winston Churchill and during the journey of Abraham Lincoln’s body, following his assassination 🛐⚰️🎹🎶
This was a great video. I enjoyed the history of Thomas Hardy and of course, the English countryside is always spectacular. In the USA, we studied English literature during our last year of high school. So this was the time that I discovered Thomas Hardy..amazing. You make beautiful professional quality videos. I really enjoy watching them and your narration is mesmerizing. The sound of this organ today was definitely Baroque sounding, perfect for Handel. Thanks for sharing your unique combination of talents in these videos. Sending you a PayPal donation.
You mentioned Hardy's appreciation of the moral value of attending church. It occurs to me that walking to church on such beautiful footpaths as the ones that you show us in this wonderful video, must surely better prepare the church goer for the service to come than a car journey to the same event. When I was young our family had a choice of two routes to church, one past various fine old houses, some race horse stables and a shop, while the second took in a footpath by a beautiful little stream and on past the vicar's vegetable garden near the church. The vicar was no gardener but his vegetables were well looked after by the church warden. The second route was always my favourite.
What a Beautiful Vlog. Well Done. Nice to see a Church decorated for Harvest. We have Canadian Thanksgiving next Weekend. Turkey, Dressing, Cranberry, Potatoes, Squash, Turnip and PUMPKIN Pie. Thanks so much for playing one of my Favourite Hymns, Come Ye Thankful People, Come. Brings back fond memories of Childhood and Church at Autumn.CHEERS from Canada 🍁🍂🙏🏽🍁🍂🦃🍂🎃🍂🍁🦃🏴🇬🇧🇨🇦
In November, for my U.S. Thanksgiving I'll be making my traditional one pot Crockpot dinner: Turkey breast, frozen vegetables and frozen mixed vegetables with turkey stock. Guests will bring pumpkin pie and wine.
Thank you en again for another wonderful church with such great stained glass windows and to hear your stories about Thomas hardy and the great 😊 harvest him again this week it was lovely 😮to see billy again I look forward to to Sunday evenings when I can hear your lovely playing the different organs in so many wonderful countryside churches 👵🏻🙏xx
Ben, I hope you realize that the riverside path you were following is the route taken by the Christmas carollers in Under the Greenwood Tree, after having sung to Fancy Day and Farmer Shiner, to the vicarage to sing to Parson Maybold?
Who could read Hardy's novels and poetry and not be moved to tears? I cried for Jude, for Tess, for Giles Winterborn in The Woodlanders and for Hardy's neglected, although once much loved first wife, Emma. He is one of my most admired literary heroes whose writing about the countryside and the natural world - in my opinion - is second only to that of Henry Williamson.
Ben, you are very fortunate to have a great brother like Billy helping you on some of your episodes. It seems you also have a very supportive family. You have a lot to be grateful for.
Thank you so much for Hardy! For several years, I lead students from St, Catherine’s School in Richmond, Virginia on literary tours of England. We visited Stinsford, Dorchester, Brockhampton, Bere Regis, and Egdon Heath. What a joy to hear you play at Stinsford!
I’m sure your videos are getting better and better Ben. The editing on this one is outstanding and once again your presentation style had me riveted from the start. Harvest time is always emotional for me as my mother’s family were farmers and we always went to the Harvest Festival service. I’ve learned a lot from you about Thomas Hardy, for which I am very grateful. With best wishes.
Greetings Ben. Last Sunday I was in the middle of a 5 day power outage from Hurricane Helene here in Virginia. Thank you for your fascinating videos. 🙏
Getting such accuracy in the audio must be both expensive and involve a lot of trial and time. Thank you for the effort you go to. It is greatly appreciated.
all is safely gathered in, e'er the winter storms begin......... another top tune and another excellent video. i really like that the sharps and flats keys are left natural, dark wood - simple elegance.
@@kesmarn i'm really enjoying Ben's channel: great church histories, and tales; interesting stuff about the instruments; and some cracking hymns. very much takes me back to my childhood. a weekly treat !!
Hello Ben, thank you for your enjoyable videos of smaller Village churches in Wiltshire. I have actually visited St Martins, Salisbury in 1976 while on a singing tour of Salisbury Cathedral, Ely Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral, and Tewkesbury Abbey. We were a visiting choir replacing Cathedral choirs. I have sent you financial support so you'll hopefully take us on more journeys to experience these 'hidden gems'. I'm a Church Nerd and lover of organ music!
How wonderful to see the birth place of Thomas Hardy, my favourite writer. The church looked beautifully decorated for harvest. Half an hour of pure joy, relaxation and great appreciation.
Wonderful and quintessentially Hardy’s Mellstock, thank you. I understand a great many church west galleries, with their (probably) untamed players and choirs disappeared in Victorian times, the local resistance to which is brought out in ‘Under the Greenwood Tree’.
Probably the best of the many excellent presentations you have made, Ben. And what a wonderful focus on Thomas Hardy, one of England's greatest authors and my favourite. Thank you.
These videos that Ben produces are absolutely fantastic we all love them or we wouldn’t watch them. There’s only about >10% people, who watch, hitting the like button. If you do enjoy these videos, then hit the thumbs up button, this guy deserves it.
Got home from church a bit earlier and was so glad to be able to sit and watch this lovely, musical video! The story of Thomas Hardy and St. Pancaras Church graveyard was fascinating! It was so nice to see Billy at the beautiful St. Michael’s Church. This was a wonderful video. Thank you, Ben.
Thanks Ben, enjoyed this and it brought back fond memories of our own visit to St Micheal’s last year. We managed to attend Evensong and a celebration for the retired Church Organist. The congregation were so kind and welcoming towards us, and there was so much cake!😊
I LOVE Hardy’s novels. The Woodlanders, The Mayor of Casterbridge. I am not of that pedigree to know his poems but I find that once you are in step with his literary flow, it is like being with a beautiful art in motion. Surely Tess was an artistic outlet of the feelings Martha Brown’s execution had on the young writer. Thank you Ben for this video. I’m jealous you are able to visit such places (I did get to the Brontë’s Haworth which is one of the fondest visits of my life).
One clue to Hardy's thinking might have been his association with Old St. Pancras church. My 3rd great grandparents were married there, and my 2nd great grandfather was baptised there. It is very likely that there are several family members represented in the headstones around the Hardy tree. The odd thing is that most of my family were non-conformists. That suggests that Old St. Pancras was a place where there was either sympathy for or tolerance for people who thought or believed differently. That might have rubbed off on Hardy to some extent.
Ah, Dorset, lovely land of "Goodbye, Mr Chips" (James Hilton) and "Far from the Madding Crowd" (Thomas Hardy), two of my favorites. If you haven't seen it yet, watch the movie, "Goodbye, Mr Chips," filmed on location in Dorset in 1969, starring Peter O'Toole and Petula Clark, for beautiful views of Dorset. Beautiful story and film making, and beautiful musical score by Leslie Bricusse, orchestrated by a young John Williams.
Let's hope lots of young people take up camping! And let's hope that they learn to get along with their neighbours and be responsible citizens and look after their beautiful country! And also let's hope they learn to get along with their Elders because their Elders have got a lot to teach them. But... Oh no! The Hardy Tree died! That's so sad!
Thank you for a wonderfully inspiring episode, one of my favourites so far. It is fascinating to be able to explore Southern England through your videos, as it is so different here in the North. Oh, how I long to visit St Pancras! You have inspired me to read a Thomas Hardy novel this Autumn and rewatch some of my favourite screen adaptations.
Thank you, Ben, for this heartfelt program into which you put so much thought and care. It is such a beautiful church with a beautiful history made even more poignant by the way you have presented it. This episode is truly a treasure!
Thank You Ben. This has been a truly enlightening experience. I did not know many biographical details of Thomas Hardy's life--but you have given us such a detailed account of the things that meant so much to him as a person, an author, and a family member. Family is important. To be able to vicariously touch what he touched makes this a 3D spiritual encounter. The church is beautifully expressive and has its own colorful flavor. The music is so appropriate for the organ, the organist, and the listeners. 'Come We Thankful People Come' sets the tone for the wonders of a fruitful harvest. This piece transcends our time and is one of my favorite of all the Thanksgiving/Harvest songs. All the music was wonderfully executed. To do justice to this production would be to write a book of which you would be the contributing author. Thanks again. Char
Thanks once again for a great video!! I loved the harvest hymn-it took me back my childhood when we would sing this near the American Thanksgiving holiday. I’ve visited the UK and seen Thomas Hardy’s plaque in Westminster Abbey (little did I know his heart was in another place) It was amazing to walk with you down the paths he took and to see the church of his childhood. What a great way to end with the march from Handel’s Saul. Beautiful playing and video story telling. By the way, my next trip to England must include a private driver to visit these beautiful churches you have shared with us. Thanks again for another great Sunday presentation.
Thank you for playing Saul Dead March: up and down this country are many men, kindred souls, for whom this music has an almost magical significance: it is always moving as Handel intended.
Another perfect video. I'm not far from Hardy country and it is still so evocative of his wonderful novels and poetry. England is still here in its glory and your channel keeps it alive, Ben. But the church at Stinsford I found 'dead' inside - it had an oppressive air to me. A certified (!) church crawler, it's the only parish church I couldn't wait to leave. It's a beautiful church but I felt very uncomfortable - I wonder if anyone else has experienced this.
Yet another lovely video Ben. Enjoy watching your videos every week, this week its on the Tuesday as we've been up to Scotland for a few days visiting family. Keep up the great work, you've created a wonderful channel.!!
Thank you for this fascinating info and video on Thomas Hardy's church. I'm going to read Under the Greenwood Tree now! And am thinking of a visit to Dorset ... It's nice to see Billy again. I would enjoy another musical contribution from him, when he feels like it 🙂
Those stained glass windows are the most colorful and incredible windows of any you've shown us, so far. The countryside is so beautiful, and so "English". Thanks for showing us. Here in Oregon(USA), of course, we don't have any buildings with that history. I was a little horrified to learn what was done with Mr. Hardy's remains, and his wishes were not respected. Horrible, to mutilate his body that way! Saul's "Dead March" was fitting!!! "All is safely gathered in Ere the winter's storms begin..." 🎶🎵🎶
Interesting video - I have been to Hardy's birthplace and Stinsford Church several times. Also interesting to see St Pancras Old Church. I visited it in Summer 2022 before the "Hardy Tree" fell down. My great-great-grandparents were married in that church in 1872, a few years after Hardy was involved in moving the gravestones.
I recently re-read Somerset Maugham’s ‘Cakes and Ale’ - the lead character, Edward Driffield, was widely supposed to be based on Thomas Hardy, though Maugham denied this. Still, if you haven’t read the book it is well worth doing so, despite the style being somewhat dated now.
I’ve just come across on YT a rather lovely choral setting by Stephen Paulus of this poem by Della B Vik, which seems to sum up your channel perfectly! The Old Church Text: Della B. Vik The old church leans nearby a well-worn road, Upon a hill that has no grass or tree, The winds from off the prairie now unload The dust they bring around it itfully. The path that leads up to the open door Is worn and grayed by many toiling feet Of us who listen to the Bible lore And once again the old-time hymns repeat. And ev’ry Sabbath morning we are still Returning to the altar waiting there. A hush, a pray’r, a pause, and voices fill The Master’s House with a triumphant air. The old church leans awry and looks quite odd, But it is beautiful to us and God.
Excellent video Ben! We are now all enlightened to the life of Thomas Hardy, (your hero), and the great Hardy Country, enjoyed by him and yourselves. The church with its "light organ" was an absolute pleasure to listen to, made possible by your usual skills. The caravan is looking most comfortable, and I am sure you will appreciate it's uses to the full. It does you give you chance to grab those lovely local shots too, to enhance your videos. Thanks Ben, we look forward to the next one!! John
What a lovely touch you have. You are to be praised and your organ teachers thanked. Started the day with music from the great & mighty organ at LDS tabernacle and a perfect sweet and gentle Angelus with you. God love and keep you Ben Maton. You put beauty into the world.
Bravo, a really magnificent segment. The historical background is as interesting as the music. I have been to Hardy's birth cottage but not the church. My great-great-grandmother was born 1839 in the next village Puddletown and family lore is that the two families knew each other and she had met the young Thomas growing up. The pathway to the church puts into perspective the era that he grew up in, before the railways, when most people walked everywhere, in any weather, and seldom went more than 20 miles from where they were born. Always look forward to your next adventure Ben. P.S. On the second time viewing, I realized that Billie is playing the guitar intro. Very nice!
A bit of an audible gasp here with the closing line of Hardy's brief poem: "We've got as far as poison gas." Still, it's not difficult to understand how WWI could have made a cynic out of almost anyone. Nevertheless, I have a feeling that if Hardy had walked into that beautiful church today -- 100 years after that poem was written -- had heard that perfect music on such a charming organ and felt how deeply he was appreciated, his heart might have recognized that humans don't give up on beauty all that easily. Especially when they have someone like you, Ben, to remind them.
Excellent comment 👍
Thank you for the kind words.
Very, very interesting Ben .
I think I understand what you mean. Hardy wanted to be a writer of poetry… but he gave us “The Woodlanders”.
It is a joy to be acquainted with you, Ben.
Again, thank you Ben for your contrary voice in a mad, mad, mad world. Peace and joy is found in God, and in His music, so thank you for sharing it with us!
Great comment.
@@mozdicksonTotally agree…from another Dixon 🤭
@@paulhall170 totally 👍
Simply a wonderful video presentation that was more than visually appealling! Please accept my sincere compliment in how you use the elements of dialogue, narrative, poetry, AND musical selection in creating an extremely enjoyable & memoriable offering! Well done, sir! These Sunday offerings have become such a welcomed life routine for me which ALWAYS brings a smile to my face & emotional uplift to my soul. I sincerely appreciate your talents, your efforts, & must thank you for sharing such with us viewers! This is Peter M; out!
Wonderful comment. I can't say it in a better way.
Thank you Ben & Billy AND CONTINUE!
Very well said.
And the poet said, play on, dear Ben...❤
My most sincere hope is that other young people will be drawn to your channel, dear Ben, and will want to learn how to play the organ. It is indeed a glorious instrument!❤
Unlike many of the other churches I've seen on this channel, this one feels like it is still loved by it's local comunity
The arrangement of Come Ye Thankful People Come is beautiful. I am tearing up.
Good Evening Ben from New Jersey. I loved St. Michael's Church and the beautiful decorations with flowers. Brought tears to my eyes listening to you reading Thomas Hardy's beautiful poem to his wife. Thank you for playing Baroque music. Another wonderful way to end Sunday Evening.
Totally agree. The flowers surrounding the entrance to the church were stunning. They obviously have a team of talented helpers 🛐❤👍
The church itself is really lovely, it looks like a wood with many glades...never seen the like..
I need to tell you my wife and I recently, well in June this year walked from Tisbury to Lyme Regis 120km in ten days with a company based in your very own hometown of Salisbury. The walk was called in the footsteps of Thomas Hardy. Simply delightful it was, the weather was perfect and the views and villages sublime! Greeting from Australia!
It’s dreadful that Thomas Hardy was not buried as he had so wished.
The ‘Dead March’ from
Saul was also performed at the funeral of George Washington, Winston Churchill and during the journey of Abraham Lincoln’s body, following his assassination 🛐⚰️🎹🎶
Such a beautiful church and music. Thank you for sharing your passion ❤😊
Love the music and the walks down the lanes. Thanks
Beautifully filmed and narrated!
This was a great video. I enjoyed the history of Thomas Hardy and of course, the English countryside is always spectacular. In the USA, we studied English literature during our last year of high school. So this was the time that I discovered Thomas Hardy..amazing. You make beautiful professional quality videos. I really enjoy watching them and your narration is mesmerizing. The sound of this organ today was definitely Baroque sounding, perfect for Handel. Thanks for sharing your unique combination of talents in these videos. Sending you a PayPal donation.
Blessings for so richly describing
How valuable are these video efforts from Ben, with help from his brother, Billy.
You mentioned Hardy's appreciation of the moral value of attending church. It occurs to me that walking to church on such beautiful footpaths as the ones that you show us in this wonderful video, must surely better prepare the church goer for the service to come than a car journey to the same event.
When I was young our family had a choice of two routes to church, one past various fine old houses, some race horse stables and a shop, while the second took in a footpath by a beautiful little stream and on past the vicar's vegetable garden near the church. The vicar was no gardener but his vegetables were well looked after by the church warden. The second route was always my favourite.
Vaughan Williams in the background? Perfect. Perfect.
Yes, I heard it too. Lovely. RVW is just about my favourite composer and writer of song.
Yes! My favorite too.
Yay! You brought Billy along. 👍
Too bad Billy forgot his guitar! I was sure there was a duet coming. Still an amazing video though 😊!
Is Billy his brother? They look alike.
@@mattnbin Yes, and he plays classical guitar beautifully.
@@mattnbin Brother Billy is in a 2 previous videos but I don’t remember the titles. Ben may have forgot to introduce him this time.
Again, I’m so thankful you have that awesome caravan now!
Sublime as ever Ben; who could not be moved by this most articulate presentation of one of Englands finest. Beautiful.
Well said John. Spot on!👏
Loved the mix of the birdsong with the end of the Dead March. Stunning stained glass!
What a Beautiful Vlog. Well Done. Nice to see a Church decorated for Harvest. We have Canadian Thanksgiving next Weekend. Turkey, Dressing, Cranberry, Potatoes, Squash, Turnip and PUMPKIN Pie. Thanks so much for playing one of my Favourite Hymns, Come Ye Thankful People, Come. Brings back fond memories of Childhood and Church at Autumn.CHEERS from Canada 🍁🍂🙏🏽🍁🍂🦃🍂🎃🍂🍁🦃🏴🇬🇧🇨🇦
In November, for my U.S. Thanksgiving I'll be making my traditional one pot Crockpot dinner: Turkey breast, frozen vegetables and frozen mixed vegetables with turkey stock. Guests will bring pumpkin pie and wine.
Such a beautiful church glorious music to accompany the harvest decorations
Thank you for taking us along.
Thank you en again for another wonderful church with such great stained glass windows and to hear your stories about Thomas hardy and the great 😊 harvest him again this week it was lovely 😮to see billy again I look forward to to Sunday evenings when I can hear your lovely playing the different organs in so many wonderful countryside churches 👵🏻🙏xx
Thank you Ben for this wonderful tribute to Thomas Hardy and for letting us accompany you into this most beautiful church of St. Michael's!
Ben, I hope you realize that the riverside path you were following is the route taken by the Christmas carollers in Under the Greenwood Tree, after having sung to Fancy Day and Farmer Shiner, to the vicarage to sing to Parson Maybold?
Who could read Hardy's novels and poetry and not be moved to tears? I cried for Jude, for Tess, for Giles Winterborn in The Woodlanders and for Hardy's neglected, although once much loved first wife, Emma. He is one of my most admired literary heroes whose writing about the countryside and the natural world - in my opinion - is second only to that of Henry Williamson.
18 kilometers from where I come from, but a world away from where I live now! Beautiful music, beautiful church, beautiful countryside.
Nice to see Billy again and yourself of course!
Ben, you are very fortunate to have a great brother like Billy helping you on some of your episodes. It seems you also have a very supportive family. You have a lot to be grateful for.
We’re good friends too, as I am with all my siblings. Thanks for your thoughtfulness
Another great video, thank you very much Ben and it was nice to see Billy again. The two of you seem to work very well together
Thank you Ben and Billy this was really enjoyable to listen to Billy your technical advisor I hope he didn’t charge to much for his service s
Thank you so much for Hardy! For several years, I lead students from St, Catherine’s School in Richmond, Virginia on literary tours of England. We visited Stinsford, Dorchester, Brockhampton, Bere Regis, and Egdon Heath. What a joy to hear you play at Stinsford!
This must certainly be the most beautiful video I’ve ever watched here on RUclips.
Very kind, thanks ☺️
I’m sure your videos are getting better and better Ben. The editing on this one is outstanding and once again your presentation style had me riveted from the start. Harvest time is always emotional for me as my mother’s family were farmers and we always went to the Harvest Festival service. I’ve learned a lot from you about Thomas Hardy, for which I am very grateful. With best wishes.
Greetings Ben. Last Sunday I was in the middle of a 5 day power outage from Hurricane Helene here in Virginia. Thank you for your fascinating videos. 🙏
Hello Virginia, from South Carolina - we just had power restored yesterday, on day eleven after Helene.
@@kareneshelman4702 Wow 🙏
Getting such accuracy in the audio must be both expensive and involve a lot of trial and time.
Thank you for the effort you go to. It is greatly appreciated.
It is nice to see a church that is loved and cared for when most of the ones you visit and alone and abandoned.
Poetry, music, history, architecture, stunning views! Great content!
Totally agree 👍
all is safely gathered in, e'er the winter storms begin......... another top tune and another excellent video. i really like that the sharps and flats keys are left natural, dark wood - simple elegance.
It's always so good to see you here, Ray! The supplier of the awesome harmonium.
@@kesmarn i'm really enjoying Ben's channel: great church histories, and tales; interesting stuff about the instruments; and some cracking hymns. very much takes me back to my childhood. a weekly treat !!
@@raymondo162 Isn't it wonderful? And a few years from now, you can say: "I knew him when... I gave the lad his first harmonium!"
@@kesmarn that proper made me chuckle !!
@@raymondo162 As did the phrase you used: "cracking hymns" ... LOL! I loved that!
Hello Ben, thank you for your enjoyable videos of smaller Village churches in Wiltshire. I have actually visited St Martins, Salisbury in 1976 while on a singing tour of Salisbury Cathedral, Ely Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral, and Tewkesbury Abbey. We were a visiting choir replacing Cathedral choirs. I have sent you financial support so you'll hopefully take us on more journeys to experience these 'hidden gems'. I'm a Church Nerd and lover of organ music!
Thank you so much, glad to have you along!
How wonderful to see the birth place of Thomas Hardy, my favourite writer. The church looked beautifully decorated for harvest. Half an hour of pure joy, relaxation and great appreciation.
Went to one of his houses owned by National Trust. Reminds me of that. God bless!🌳
Was it Max Gate? Well worth a visit
@@anon-u3m Yes it was! Such a lovely area!😁
Made my Sunday a whole lot brighter.
Many thanks Ben and every blessing
Wonderful and quintessentially Hardy’s Mellstock, thank you. I understand a great many church west galleries, with their (probably) untamed players and choirs disappeared in Victorian times, the local resistance to which is brought out in ‘Under the Greenwood Tree’.
Probably the best of the many excellent presentations you have made, Ben. And what a wonderful focus on Thomas Hardy, one of England's greatest authors and my favourite. Thank you.
just love the tour of this marvelous churches. You are a beauty, as well. So many thanks, Rob
These videos that Ben produces are absolutely fantastic we all love them or we wouldn’t watch them. There’s only about >10% people, who watch, hitting the like button. If you do enjoy these videos, then hit the thumbs up button, this guy deserves it.
Superb!
Got home from church a bit earlier and was so glad to be able to sit and watch this lovely, musical video!
The story of Thomas Hardy and St. Pancaras Church graveyard was fascinating!
It was so nice to see Billy at the beautiful St. Michael’s Church.
This was a wonderful video. Thank you, Ben.
Thanks Ben, enjoyed this and it brought back fond memories of our own visit to St Micheal’s last year. We managed to attend Evensong and a celebration for the retired Church Organist. The congregation were so kind and welcoming towards us, and there was so much cake!😊
I LOVE Hardy’s novels. The Woodlanders, The Mayor of Casterbridge. I am not of that pedigree to know his poems but I find that once you are in step with his literary flow, it is like being with a beautiful art in motion. Surely Tess was an artistic outlet of the feelings Martha Brown’s execution had on the young writer.
Thank you Ben for this video. I’m jealous you are able to visit such places (I did get to the Brontë’s Haworth which is one of the fondest visits of my life).
That was so relaxing to watch. Thanks, Ben. Beautifully playing, filming and editing.
Ended in heartfelt tears, as usual
One clue to Hardy's thinking might have been his association with Old St. Pancras church.
My 3rd great grandparents were married there, and my 2nd great grandfather was baptised there. It is very likely that there are several family members represented in the headstones around the Hardy tree. The odd thing is that most of my family were non-conformists. That suggests that Old St. Pancras was a place where there was either sympathy for or tolerance for people who thought or believed differently. That might have rubbed off on Hardy to some extent.
Love the history and music! Thank you!
Thank you for going to Dorset. Go to Hampreston, near Wimborne. It's tucked away, but it's the mother church for Ferndown,. Very beautiful.
Very interesting, Ben. Thank you for taking the time to share this wonderful story with us. Looking forward to the next one. ❤
What beautiful sounds from the organ.
You are a gifted teacher.
Ben is a gifted human being ❤🛐🎹🎶
Great film 👏. So pleased I am a Patreon Supporter 🙏
well done and thanks.
Opening a biscuit tin will never be the same for me again. :)
Thank you! ❤
Ah, Dorset, lovely land of "Goodbye, Mr Chips" (James Hilton) and "Far from the Madding Crowd" (Thomas Hardy), two of my favorites. If you haven't seen it yet, watch the movie, "Goodbye, Mr Chips," filmed on location in Dorset in 1969, starring Peter O'Toole and Petula Clark, for beautiful views of Dorset. Beautiful story and film making, and beautiful musical score by Leslie Bricusse, orchestrated by a young John Williams.
Beautifully moving episode...
Let's hope lots of young people take up camping! And let's hope that they learn to get along with their neighbours and be responsible citizens and look after their beautiful country! And also let's hope they learn to get along with their Elders because their Elders have got a lot to teach them.
But... Oh no! The Hardy Tree died! That's so sad!
Thanks
Thank you for a wonderfully inspiring episode, one of my favourites so far.
It is fascinating to be able to explore Southern England through your videos, as it is so different here in the North. Oh, how I long to visit St Pancras!
You have inspired me to read a Thomas Hardy novel this Autumn and rewatch some of my favourite screen adaptations.
Thank you, Ben, for this heartfelt program into which you put so much thought and care. It is such a beautiful church with a beautiful history made even more poignant by the way you have presented it. This episode is truly a treasure!
Once again. You are marvelous. Thank you so.
Thank You Ben. This has been a truly enlightening experience. I did not know many biographical details of Thomas Hardy's life--but you have given us such a detailed account of the things that meant so much to him as a person, an author, and a family member. Family is important. To be able to vicariously touch what he touched makes this a 3D spiritual encounter. The church is beautifully expressive and has its own colorful flavor. The music is so appropriate for the organ, the organist, and the listeners. 'Come We Thankful People Come' sets the tone for the wonders of a fruitful harvest. This piece transcends our time and is one of my favorite of all the Thanksgiving/Harvest songs. All the music was wonderfully executed. To do justice to this production would be to write a book of which you would be the contributing author. Thanks again. Char
Thanks once again for a great video!! I loved the harvest hymn-it took me back my childhood when we would sing this near the American Thanksgiving holiday.
I’ve visited the UK and seen Thomas Hardy’s plaque in Westminster Abbey (little did I know his heart was in another place) It was amazing to walk with you down the paths he took and to see the church of his childhood.
What a great way to end with the march from Handel’s Saul. Beautiful playing and video story telling.
By the way, my next trip to England must include a private driver to visit these beautiful churches you have shared with us. Thanks again for another great Sunday presentation.
30 minutes of beauty
I love the whole atmosphere. The organ is lovely. I played a similar chamber organ, but that one had a hanging pedal board.
An organ with only 4 stops, one keyboard and no pedals. For a simple soul like me that's perfect it's my kind of organ!
Thank you for playing Saul Dead March: up and down this country are many men, kindred souls, for whom this music has an almost magical significance: it is always moving as Handel intended.
Thanks!
Another perfect video. I'm not far from Hardy country and it is still so evocative of his wonderful novels and poetry. England is still here in its glory and your channel keeps it alive, Ben. But the church at Stinsford I found 'dead' inside - it had an oppressive air to me. A certified (!) church crawler, it's the only parish church I couldn't wait to leave. It's a beautiful church but I felt very uncomfortable - I wonder if anyone else has experienced this.
Thank you so much. Very enjoyable❤
Excellent
Very moving thank you.
Yet another lovely video Ben. Enjoy watching your videos every week, this week its on the Tuesday as we've been up to Scotland for a few days visiting family. Keep up the great work, you've created a wonderful channel.!!
Very nice instrument and as you stated very appropriate for baroque works! Thank you.
Thanks for a great episode xx
Bravo! Thanks for doing this!
Many thanks Ben. Again.
Thank you for this fascinating info and video on Thomas Hardy's church. I'm going to read Under the Greenwood Tree now! And am thinking of a visit to Dorset ...
It's nice to see Billy again. I would enjoy another musical contribution from him, when he feels like it 🙂
He’s a great accordion player. Maybe a collaboration!!
just love your videos Thank you somuch
So inspiring, so very well done, many thanks to you. I look forward to your fine works.
Those stained glass windows are the most colorful and incredible windows of any you've shown us, so far. The countryside is so beautiful, and so "English". Thanks for showing us. Here in Oregon(USA), of course, we don't have any buildings with that history.
I was a little horrified to learn what was done with Mr. Hardy's remains, and his wishes were not respected. Horrible, to mutilate his body that way! Saul's "Dead March" was fitting!!!
"All is safely gathered in
Ere the winter's storms begin..."
🎶🎵🎶
Interesting video - I have been to Hardy's birthplace and Stinsford Church several times. Also interesting to see St Pancras Old Church. I visited it in Summer 2022 before the "Hardy Tree" fell down. My great-great-grandparents were married in that church in 1872, a few years after Hardy was involved in moving the gravestones.
Sublime! ❤️🎶🙏🏽
❤great to see the English flag flying
gosh, I have been to that churchyard and didn't know about its amazing history!
I love it when you include local history. Thank you for an excellent vlog.
Keep up the good work, Ben. I love your channel. Thomas Hardy’s poetry is wonderful.
Thank you and God Bless you. Wow are the key’s wooden? Wonder how that feels? ❤
I recently re-read Somerset Maugham’s ‘Cakes and Ale’ - the lead character, Edward Driffield, was widely supposed to be based on Thomas Hardy, though Maugham denied this. Still, if you haven’t read the book it is well worth doing so, despite the style being somewhat dated now.
I’ve just come across on YT a rather lovely choral setting by Stephen Paulus of this poem by Della B Vik, which seems to sum up your channel perfectly!
The Old Church
Text: Della B. Vik
The old church leans nearby a well-worn road,
Upon a hill that has no grass or tree,
The winds from off the prairie now unload
The dust they bring around it itfully.
The path that leads up to the open door
Is worn and grayed by many toiling feet
Of us who listen to the Bible lore
And once again the old-time hymns repeat.
And ev’ry Sabbath morning we are still
Returning to the altar waiting there.
A hush, a pray’r, a pause, and voices fill
The Master’s House with a triumphant air.
The old church leans awry and looks quite odd,
But it is beautiful to us and God.
Excellent video Ben! We are now all enlightened to the life of Thomas Hardy, (your hero), and the great Hardy Country, enjoyed by him and yourselves. The church with its "light organ" was an absolute pleasure to listen to, made possible by your usual skills. The caravan is looking most comfortable, and I am sure you will appreciate it's uses to the full. It does you give you chance to grab those lovely local shots too, to enhance your videos. Thanks Ben, we look forward to the next one!! John
What piece was that in the background at 13:17 ?
What a lovely touch you have. You are to be praised and your organ teachers thanked. Started the day with music from the great & mighty organ at LDS tabernacle and a perfect sweet and gentle Angelus with you. God love and keep you Ben Maton. You put beauty into the world.
What a handsome keyboard on that instrument.
Bravo, a really magnificent segment. The historical background is as interesting as the music. I have been to Hardy's birth cottage but not the church. My great-great-grandmother was born 1839 in the next village Puddletown and family lore is that the two families knew each other and she had met the young Thomas growing up. The pathway to the church puts into perspective the era that he grew up in, before the railways, when most people walked everywhere, in any weather, and seldom went more than 20 miles from where they were born. Always look forward to your next adventure Ben.
P.S. On the second time viewing, I realized that Billie is playing the guitar intro. Very nice!
Yes, it’s the Ode to a Friendless Church played in the ‘unplayable organ’ video