The Melbourne Sheela Na Gig

This sheela is mentioned in "Ghosts and Legends of the Peak District" and "Images of Lust". Images of Lust does not categorise it as a Sheela but describes it as "near exhibitionist". The booklet in the church however describes it as a sheela and fertility symbol. The church itself is fascinating it is huge for a parish church in fact you could describe it as a mini cathedral. It is richly carved and in a good state of preservation. "Images of Lust" includes the "miser" and the "luxury" figures. For example take a look at the luxuriant figure with splayed legs above. The book describes this as being "once exhibitionist" but in my opinion it never has been have a look at the photo and judge for yourself. The rest of the church is fascinating there is a medieval painting of a demon and there is a pentagram incised on one of the pillars. There are also many other carvings in the church well worth a look at including a bestial cat.

If anyone has any more information on the church please

The carving itself has some very sheela like characteristics the splayed leg position and the positioning of the arms is very much like the Darley Dale and Haddon Hall sheelas which are also in Derbyshire. The carving also has foliage spewing from its mouth which makes more like a "green man" but this characteristic is not unknown in Sheelas as well take for instance the South Tawton figure in Devon. The figure is not human and does not have the ribs so in the end this will have to go under the "nearly but not quite" column of Sheela carvings.