FARLEIGH Puzzle: For many years I have thought of St Andrew's Church, Farleigh, as St Andrew's-in-the-Fields - a rural relation of the famous St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square.

There it stands, surrounded by a bumpy, lumpy field, which obviously covers the remains of deserted houses.

I've always understood that these were cottages abandoned after the Black Death swept through this area in 1348.

That would make St Andrew's what's called a "Plague Church", which remained after the village was rebuilt down the road. But no. That's wrong.

Lord Portsmouth tells me it's his understanding that the village was destroyed in the Civil War.

So, were the culprits the Cromwellian troops which legend has it were quartered in the grounds of the Old Manor, in Ellisfield?

MONKEY Puzzle: The deserted Farleigh field leaves another problem.

Who planted the imposing monkey puzzle tree in the field. And why? And when?

Monkey puzzle trees arrived in England from the southern hemisphere towards the end of the 18th century and became popular in the Victorian era.

Why would anyone plant one in a Farleigh field?

If anybody knows, I'd be delighted to hear.

GLORIOUS Church: St Andrew's was packed last Sunday, with residents from the four villages in our benefice. The car park was full to overflowing.

We're fortunate to have such a remarkable, perfect cruciform church, built in the shape of a cross, light, airy, tranquil and much loved.

"It's thought to be one of a very few surviving perfect cruciform churches," said Lord Portsmouth.