Mr Mitchell's latest theory is that St Mary's Church in Purton, which boast both a west tower and a spire, was modelled on Malmesbury Abbey 12 miles away. Speaking to BBC Wiltshire, Mr Mitchell ...

in the Middle Ages the building had a tall central spire... Malmesbury Abbey's founder, Maidulph, died in 675. At this time Aldhelm, a Saxon by birth and related to King Ine of Wessex, took over ...

To Edmund Wilkins Esqr,, High Steward of the Borough of Malmsbury, This View of MALMSBURY ABBEY is inscribed By his most obedient Servants, Thomas Hearne and William Byrne. Drawn by T. Hearne Etch'd ...