Whitstone - St.Anne, Grade I Listed - 15th Century. Whitstone is one of the gems of the North Cornwall Trail. The church is situated off the Bude - Launceston road, a little way out of the village past the school. It lies against the hillside, sheltered by trees in an outstandingly pretty location. Cars should be parked on the narrow road by the war memorial; the church path is the next turning on the left. One of its former rectors, Richard Buvyle, died in 1358, rumours had it that he was a saint, and a number of remarkable cures took place at his grave. The cult spread rapidly throughout North Cornwall and Devon, turning the church into a centre of pilgrimage, Bishop Grandisson ordered an inquiry in 1361 and ten remarkable cures were verified by a jury of three vicars, three curates and six laymen specially summoned at Week St. Mary for the purpose. Once 'official' the cult seems to have died out for no more is heard of it. The church is dedicated to St. Anne although St. Nicholas appears in original records as early as 1309. Information leaflets about Church Services and contact numbers are available from Bude Tourist Information Centre - Tel: + 44 (0)1288 354240 - Fax: + 44 (0)1288 355769 or Holsworthy Visitor Information Centre - Tel/Fax: + 44 (0)1409 254185 or Boscastle Tourist Information Centre - Tel: + 44 (0)1840 250010 | Menu |