Weekend of events to reveal Vale's history (From Evesham Journal)

Weekend of events to reveal Vale's history

9:30am Sunday 9th September 2012 in News

A HOST of historic venues across the Vale will be open for free of charge as part of a nationwide project this weekend.

Pershore’s Heritage Open Days are tomorrow and Saturday when people can take a closer look at the Abbey and its tower, the Baptist Church, Number 8, Croome Court and exhibitions in Pershore Town Hall and Heritage Centre. Free boat trips picking up from King George’s Field are being run by the Avon Navigation Trust and tomorrow there will also be a guided walk through Tiddesley Wood.

Leaflets providing more information can be picked up from shops in Pershore and the town hall. For details, visit heritageopendays.

org.uk or call Judy Dale on 01386 552744 or Val Wood on 01386 554235.

Evesham is also getting in on the act by revealing its historic gems over the weekend. The Bell Tower will be open on Sunday from noon to 4pm. The Bell Tower has just been reopened after maintenance work and it will be possible to climb the steps to the ringing chamber.

The chamber is crammed with fascinating glimpses of the past including graffiti inscribed by bell ringers centuries ago.

The Almonry Museum will be open on Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.

The town hall will be open on both days from 10am to 4pm, as will St Lawrence Church where guided tours and an exhibition of the work of architect Frederick Preedy can be seen.

The Unitarian Chapel, Oat Street, the Friends Meeting House in Cowl Street, the Masonic Lodge in Swan Lane, St Andrew’s Church in Hampton and the Evesham battlefield site are also involved.

Word of Mouth café in Vine Street will have a special Sunday opening to ensure visitors are kept well refreshed.