Corn Dollies at Siddington Church, Macclesfield

A different route and an interesting sign post found a hidden gem.

A church harvest festival in a Cheshire village. We were the only people here. So quiet, yet so alive with vibrant colour.

Fun faces, flowers in pots and garlands. Rows of vegetables and displays of fruit.

Carefully placed with love and attention.

A hint at what lies within peers over the church door. Still so eerily quiet, we lift the latch and step in.

Inside the church our eyes are full of gold. Corn maidens keeping the spirit of corn happy after harvest time and through the winter time.

Corn dollies everywhere, intricate shapes decorating walls, pews, lights, hand crafted and cared for. 

So many! But why and who made them?

Outside in the still light we found a secret path to a beautiful cottage and garden.

I met an old lady here on the path who told me about the history of the corn dollies and how they were made by one man, She told me she came here every year to see the display. I turned around to ask her more but she was nowhere to be seen.

{All Saints Church - Siddington, Macclesfield. The corn dollies are made by craftsman Raymond Rush}