In the porch of the church were a number of Saxon stones. Taken out of context, these lumps of ashlar had been preserved and put on display, informing us (insofar as stones can speak) of the great antiquity and continuity of the place. Continuity gives its own strength. In this country we venerate the past not because it is admirable (often far from it, given the murderous record of the ages) but because of the sense of self-confidence and identity it bestows. Who are we? We are the people who, over a thousand years ago, made these stones.