James is holding a faded scroll in his left hand. What was written on it is long gone, but it was possibly his ‘Article’ - ‘Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary’ - according to the old belief that each of the points in the Apostles’ Creed was actually ‘contributed’ by an individual Apostle.¹
It is just possible in this photograph to make out (above and to the left of James) the beginning of the curve of the 12th century apsidal chancel, with its scrollwork border where it meets the roof. This too was painted at one time, and there are some faint traces left. In the nave, opposite James, is a figure behind the reading desk who may be John the Baptist; there is also a partly uncovered painting of St. Christopher, and two angels with very large trumpets high up at either side of the chancel arch. This latter is probably the remains of a 15th century Doom.

¹Although authorities sometimes differ on which Article belongs to which Apostle. This is the one given to James in the 15th century stained glass at Fairford, Gloucester (not to be missed by anyone in that area).