Hidden Stories - The Book

Here is an absolute feast of spectacular pictures and extraordinary stories, collected into a beautiful book by someone whose fascination with St Andrew’s shines from every one of the 116 lavishly illustrated pages.

In 2022, the PCC asked Jonathan Bean to put together a photographic exhibition of some aspects of the church that most people cannot easily see or interpret. This led him on a journey of exploration up dark staircases, into spider-webbed crevices, through locked doors and high aloft into the tower and ceiling spaces.

What he found resulted in the first wonderful display of Hidden Treasures, focusing on the Rood Screen, the Ceiling Bosses and the Graffiti which can be found in many parts of the church. The photos were superb, but it was the stories which Jonathan researched and used to explain his discoveries which really brought the history of St Andrew’s to life.

It was never going to end there! Since then, Jonathan has produced a new exhibition every year and most of his work can be seen in the church all day, every day. It has inspired him and it inspires all who take the time to study what he has done. To quote: "What I discovered gave me SO much more understanding of my village, my neighbourhood, my landscape, and the personal stories of people who’d gone before; stories of 1000 years of social history. It leaves me with a sense of passing through - and of responsibility to the future."

The exhibitions are free to view, but many people have been inspired to donate to HCCF after looking at them, perhaps because they, like him, feel that St Andrew’s is much more than a glorious building, it is the embodiment of life over the past millennium in the village of Harberton.

Jonathan, with support from Stanley Oldfield our village historian, has now produced the book, “Hidden Stories of Harberton” which includes all of the exhibitions so far. It is available to order from harbertonccf@gmail.com and costs £25 (paperback) or £32 (hardback) plus £3 postage. Details of how to pay will be provided on request.

Some of the photos can be found in our Gallery, to whet the appetite. But to enjoy the Hidden Stories, you will need to visit the church or buy the book!