Heritage Open Days

Heritage Open Days start at churches around the Benefice tomorrow, Saturday 8 September. St Stephen’s (Belle Vue Road, Cinderford) and St Ethelbert’s (Littledean) are both involved this year!

Things start tomorrow, (Saturday 8 September) with both churches open from 10 am with a range of exciting things to look at and experience.

St Stephen’s, will be exploring the musical history of the church with an exhibition on Philip Charles Walding, a blind organist at St Stephen’s for many years. There will also be an opportunity to join in recording the musical history of the church with a chance to write your own memories. If you have any photographs you’d like to share, please do bring them along. There will be someone to scan them in on the day so you can keep your originals safe!

There will also be some organ recitals during the day with organists, past and present, showcasing some of their favourite pieces of music.

St Stephen’s will also be part of a Heritage Walking Tour on Saturday 8, with participants able to have a walking tour around various places of historical importance in Cinderford, including the Council Offices. The walk starts from Cafe 31 (CANDI) at various points during the day.

St Ethelbert’s, Littledean will be open for three days during Heritage Open Days with bellringing displays (and for a lucky few, a chance to ring the bells!) and much more.

Saturday 8 September, the church will be open from 10 am – 5 pm, with a book sale, bric-a-brac stall, a chance to look around the beautiful church, plus cakes and refreshments all day. Sunday 9 and 16 September, church will be open from 12 noon – 5 pm (with a service at 10.30 am), there will be refreshments available along with tours of the historic Bell Tower and a chance to ring the bells on Sunday 16 September.

Other properties around Cinderford and Littledean are also open to explore, so you can easily make a day of local history!

Cinderford Town Council has three properties open to explore, the Belle Vue Centre (Council Chambers, Belle Vue Rd, Cinderford) will be open with exhibits about the mining history of the Forest of Dean. The clock tower is also open for people to get a birds eye view of the Triangle along with the old HSBC Bank building open for people to look around and share their views on what the building should look like going forward.

For more information about properties open around the Forest see: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting