FOLLOWING the installation of the new lighting system at St Petroc’s Church, Lydford, recently, a much clearer view of all the interior features of the church can be seen.

In particular, the wood carvings have been more visible, as they are no longer hidden in semi-darkness. Details which have previously gone unnoticed have become clearer and second and third inspections have revealed even more detail.

The steps at the east end of the south aisle indicate that a rood loft once graced the entrance to the chancel. Rood comes from the Saxon word for cross, the loft holding a statue of the crucified Christ flanked by St Mary and St John.

The priest needed access to the loft to light the accompanying candles. After the Reformation and during the Commonwealth such artefacts were generally destroyed. The present rood screen was designed by the English architect and mystic Frederick Bligh Bond and the work reputedly executed by the Misses Pinwill of Ermington in 1904. It is likely, however, that as Violet Pinwill had already set up business in Plymouth by this time some of the work was done by craftsmen under her supervision.

The western face is adorned with birds. On the eastern face is a Latin inscription explaining that the screen was given in memory of Daniel Radford.

The doors were made at the same time, but permission to actually hang them did not come until some years later. A rood has never been placed on the present screen, nor is it clear whether that was ever intended; in all probability not.