Balsham's church is notable on the outside for the large and heavily buttressed tower: the interior for a remarkable chancel, with a mediaeval rood screen, extraordinary choir stalls and impressive memorial brasses.
The church has Saxon foundations, but is solidly Gothic, with an Early Gothic tower, Perpendicular nave and aisles, and Decorated chancel (the East window is particularly fine example of reticulated tracery). The additional buttressing to the tower was added in the 16th century - the original flat angle buttresses being supplemented by a diagonal buttress and two flat buttresses on the west and north walls (obliterating the west door and window in the process). More reinforcement - this time in the form of concrete and steel - had to be added in 1986.
Inside, it has the feel of a spacious town church, but the main event is clearly the chancel. This is entered through a beautifully preserved late mediaeval rood screen, complete with loft, coloured in turquoise and gold. The only thing that detracts is a floor to ceiling plastic screen, which one hopes it temporary. Within the chancel are the celebrated choir stalls - ten on each wall, and three either side of the aisle facing east. They are extraordinary: each stall has carved arm rests, with shoulder height projections, which are also carved. Beneath the seats are misericords. The carvings depict animal and human heads, including lions, fish, birds and dolphins, green men, and some fantastical combinations.
On the floor are two impressive ecclesiastical brasses. The older is to John de Sleford, Rector of Balsham (d. 1401). He stands beneath an impressive triple canopy, surmounted by the Trinity and angels. His cope is decorated with saints. The reason for this grandeur (and it was he who probably paid for the choir stalls) is his impressively ecclesiastical curriculum vitae: Canon of Ripon, Archdeacon of Wells, Prebendary of St Stephen's Chapel in the Palace of Westminster, Chaplain to the Queen, and Keeper of the Wardrobe to Edward III. On the other side of the chancel, and equally impressive, is the memorial to John Blodwell (d. 1426). His canopy is simpler, but the columns have saints in niches, and his cope is also heavily decorated. Balsham was clearly a prized living in the 15th century.
Other items of interest include the impressive font cover, carved in the 1920s by the then Rector; and a Saxon coffin lid, with a cross and interlacing decoration. In the north aisle is a small wooden chapel to St Nicholas - also the work of the early 20th Century, but assembled largely from 17th Century panels.
The church is the centre of a busy parish life, and part of the Granta Vale benefice of six churches. On our visit, a sizeable team of enthusiastic and friendly volunteers was preparing the church to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, with an impressive array of themed flower arrangements.
Holy Trinity, Church Ln, Balsham CB21 4DS
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