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This remarkable set of murals was the result of a commission by Lady D'Arcy Godolhin Osborne to commemorate the safe return of her son, Captain Joseph Laycock from the second Boer War.

Phoebe Anna Traquair was a Scottish artist - considered to be the first female professional artist in the country - who lived from 1852 to 1936. She was noted for her work in the Arts and Crafts style, creating a number of murals, of which only two, including this, are in England. She also worked extensively in embroidery and later in life in jewellery and enamel work.

The murals are in vibrant colours with substantial amounts of gilding and redolent with Arts and Crafts motifs. The church's own descriptive leaflet contains a description by the artist herself of the various scenes, and as this provides an insight into her approach, I quote it here in full, with acknowledgement to both artist and church.

"At the east end, on either side of the window, are two figures, the Madonna and the Angel of the Annunciation. Above the Madonna and running round the window is the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, in which the serpent is entwined; and above the Angel round the other side is the Tree of Life with the Dove (Holy Spirit). Behind the altar is an Arabesque border of the (True) Vine with small singing angels.

The North side represents a group of figures bringing offerings to the Divine Child. Immediately in front kneels a figure offering incense. Behind are three children, the first two leading a lamb and carrying flowers, whilst the third brings her heart. In this group some of the children of the family of the donor have been put in. Next an old man brings his life symbolised by a time glass - almost run out, and further back a workman brings his labour (a satchel of tools on his back). Underneath in an Arabesque border on a gold background are two medallions - one representing the Entombment, and the other a symbolical combination of the Resurrection and Ascension. In the latter some of the figures are looking into the empty grave in sorrow whilst others, looking up, see the risen life. "In our troubles we should look up, not down".

On the same side between the two arches, the subject of the fresco work is a group of the Angel Choir, in which heads of some of the children of the present choir have been utilised. Beneath on a silver tablet are the words: -

"To the glory of God, as a thank offering for the safe return from the Boer War 1899-1902 of her beloved son Captain Joseph Frederick Laycock DSO, who being at that time a Major in the Sherwood Rangers Imperial Yeomanry,served on the staff of General Sir John French KCB, this chancel has been decorated, in deep gratitude, by his mother Lady D'Arcy Godolphin Osborne."

The subjects on the south wall are Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane with the sleeping disciples, the Institution of the Last Supper and the Angels. Below are the medallions "I will lay me down in peace and take my rest, for it is thou Lord only that makest me dwell in safety" and "Thou shalt light my candle: the Lord my God shall make my darkness to be light."

On the West wall above the arch, on the right hand, an angel stretches forward offering a heart - "Create in me a clean heart O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me". On the corresponding side, a kneeling figure receives a lantern - "Thy word is a lantern unto my feet: and a light unto my paths".

Created: Thu, 9 Oct 2014, Updated: Thu, 9 Oct 2014