Apparently it was a couple of Popes who encouraged churches to have weather vanes in the shape of a cockerel, with the oldest surviving weathercock dating back to 820. This one on the steeple of St Mary’s Church in Longstock looks a bit more modern than that.

159 thoughts

  2. Pingback: Upstanding craftsmen … – From Pyrenees to Pennines
  4. Pingback: Running out of superlatives | restlessjo
  5. Pingback: String up the lights – Nomad
  6. Pingback: Flags strung up high – Travel with Intent
  7. Pingback: Stacked Up | The Eternal Traveller

    1. It’s a reminder of the story in the bible that tells us that at the Last Supper Jesus said that Peter would deny him three times “before the rooster crowed.” To his everlasting shame, that’s exactly what normally loyal Peter did.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. I see Margaret has replied already 🙂 the Peter theory does seem to be the predominant one and like you say makes sense.

      Others suggest it was carried over from pagan symbolism (bird of light) and one that suggests that the cockerel is like the pastor who leads and watches the parish

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I was thinking that I can’t remember the last time I saw a cartoon of him. But I don’t remember the last time I saw a Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck either. They’re probably all banished to some obscure retro TV channel nowadays.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Pingback: January Squares: Up #21 – David M's photoblog

  12. I love those. Such a wonderful thing to have, a bit of social media…..”What’s the weather like?” “His over there is blowing from the south so no fishing today”
    “OK Jim”
    “OK Sam”
    Both closed their windows that overlooked the street and sat close to the stove hoping the cakes would come out soon 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Pingback: No stirrups | Kamerapromenader
  15. Pingback: In My BackUP file … USA – My Camera & I

  16. I LOVE your rooster. We used to have a diving eagle, but a storm and a falling tree did him in.

    I just happen to have a nice local steeple. It’s actually an abandoned old clapboard church in the middle of town, quite literally directly across from the Common. It’s for sale. If I got suddenly rich, I’d buy it, renovate it, and give it to the town as a small museum for local history. Meanwhile, I take lots of pictures of it because it is terribly in need of repair and renovation — minimally at least getting painted.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. oh a diving eagle that sound so wonderful, such a shame the storm and tree got it in the end.

      Love the New England clapboard buildings, they are so lovely. Guess a lot of work though to look after

      Like

  17. Pingback: Pump it up – bushboys world
  19. Pingback: Uppermost – pictures imperfect blog

Comments are closed.