CHURCHES across Bromsgrove will invite visitors to experience the history of their communities iconic religious landmarks as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days.
Each church will open their doors to the communities they serve for a host of activities with a chance of historical discovery.
This year’s Worcestershire Heritage Open Days take place between September 8 and September 17 and offer an opportunity to celebrate the counties heritage, community and history by exploring hidden places and trying new experiences.
St. Laurence Church, Alvechurch will be open from 10am to 4pm on September 16 and people can experience bell ringers, teddy bear parachuting, storytelling, Irish dance demonstrations, community choir, children’s dance demonstrations, a sound bath experience, Morris dancers, a model railway, children’s activities and refreshments.
The event will conclude with Pimm’s and hymns from 3pm.
At All Saints Church in Bromsgrove there is a chance to explore the beautiful church and enjoy special exhibitions of art, textiles and pottery on September 0 from 10am to 4pm.
There will be live music, activities for visitors and refreshments as well as a special exhibition of work by artist Mary Long, who lived nearby, including pieces from a private collection not exhibited previously.
At St John’s Church, Bromsgrove there will a free coffee and cake concert on September 16 at 10.30am followed by an open day with a chance to have a go on the organ and climb the bell tower.
Other activities and refreshments will be available and the musical journey, ‘themes and variations’ will be performed by Oliver Neal on the organ.
St Mark’s Church, Fairfield, Bromsgrove, will host a performance from singing group The Villeins on September 9.
A 30-minute selection of acappella songs celebrating the counties Vocal Heritage, from 16 century Fa-la-las to Beatles arrangements, will be performed.
There will also be showings of the acappella performances at 11am at Christchurch, Catshill, midday at St Mary’s, Dodford, 2pm at All Saints, Bromsgrove and 3pm at St Godwalds, Aston Fields.
There will also be a chance to enjoy the film ‘Looking back at Bromsgrove’ in the Village Hall next door.
The film explores the origins of the town and follows its growth from a thriving medieval market centre, an important stage coaching town, the nail-making capital of Britain, to the bustling residential town of today.
Christ Church, Catshill, Bromsgrove will be open for people to visit the beautiful stained glass windows, war memorials and a craft stall on September 9 from 10am to 4pm, and on September 10 from 11am to 4pm and September 12 from 10am to midday. There will be refreshments and a churchyard quiz for children.
Lastly, St Michael and All Angels Church, Stoke Prior will be showcasing local history including industries, people, buildings and organisations connected with the local area on September 9 and September 10 from 10am to 4pm.
On display will be pictorial and physical historical items from the world famous John Corbett salt works, the L.G Harris Brush works, local watercolours from the wife of an early Vicar of St Michael’s church, a bell ringing demonstration from the Tower Team.
And the local history team together with the Heritage Friends Group will be talking about “Stories in the Stones”.
All events will be completely free to attend.
