SOME of Evesham’s best known and loved landmarks will be opening their doors for free to mark national Heritage Open Day.
Visitors to the town on Saturday (September 13) and Sunday (September 14) will be able to take a peek around some of the town’s most popular and historic buildings.
The packed programme is being co-ordinated by members of Evesham’s Civic Society as part of the national campaign to encourage residents to celebrate their town’s proud heritage.
Among the buildings opening their doors is the Almonry Museum and Heritage Centre on Vine Street which will be open both days from 10am to 5pm.
Visitors will be able to learn more about the Great Big Almonry Project, what it aims to achieve, how they can get involved and even how they can help steer the project or just have their say.
And little learners will be able to tackle free young historian trails as well as try their hand at a free crown making activity.
St Lawrence Church will also be open on Saturday from midday to 4pm with a fun, family-friendly event offering live music, lessons on Evesham’s history and the chance to try your hand at stone carving.
Locally made sweet cakes and treats are also on offer at the event while members of Evesham Art Society will be holding their annual exhibition in on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
Evesham’s Elizabethan Town Hall in Market Place will be open on Sunday from 10am to 4pm and will offer visitors the chance to see the historic council chamber, view the Mayoral roll of honour which dates back to 1605.
The town’s bell tower will be open between 10am and 4pm on Sunday and the ringing master will be on hand to explain to visitors about this magnificent building, the bells and bell-ringing.
Evesham’s Unitarian Chapel in Oat Street will open its doors on Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm and Sunday from midday to 4.30pm and allow visitors to discover more about this 18th century Grade II listed chapel and its Victorian interior.
A display about the Quakers in Evesham will be among the highlights of the opening of the Friends Meeting House in Cowl Street on Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm.
Historic features include elders benches and original marriage certificate from 1714 will also be featured on the day.
A commemoration of Freemasons who served and died in the First World War will be just one of the activities held at Evesham Masonic Centre in Swan Lane on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
A teddy bears picnic to celebrate one million teddy bears distributed at hospitals throughout the UK to sick and injured children will also be held.
Visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/town/Evesham for a full programme and directions.
St Lawrence Church. Picture by Ian Tustin.
