Beeston and District Civic Society ˜ Publications

Heritage Open Days

Heritage Open Days celebrates England's fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors, ranging from castles to factories, town halls to tithe barns, parish churches to Buddhist temples. It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture.

This is the 6^th year that members of the Committee have organised local participation for Heritage Open Days. We act as facilitators, encouraging other people to arrange their own events whilst we register the events with English Heritage and co-ordinate publicity.

All venues are free admission and any refreshments will be at modest charges. Some venues will have items for sale but you are not, of course, obliged to buy.

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 2010

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 9^TH – SUNDAY 12^TH SEPTEMBER

ATTENBOROUGH

ST.MARY'S CHURCH ATTENBOROUGH Church Lane NG9 6AS

Saturday 11^th, 10.00.am. – 6.00.pm.and Sunday 13^th, 2.30.pm. – 4.30.pm.

Including tours of the Church, Music and the possibility of Bell Ringing demonstrations. Interesting gravestones of people killed in WWI Chilwell shell explosion. Please note that the Railwaymen's War Memorial was re-sited on Remembrance Sunday 2009 at Attenborough Railway Station. Refreshments will also be available

Also taking part in the 'Ride & Stride' event on the Saturday

BEESTON

BEESTON HERITAGE TRAIL GUIDED WALK

A circular 2 mile guided walk, from Beeston Square NG9 2FY

Sunday 12th starting 2.30 pm., duration 2 1/2 hours.

Starting from the turnpike road which runs through Beeston's modern centre we move to its original centre, the Manor House, then to houses built as farms in the 17th century. Returning to the main road we walk to the parish churchyard, with unusual monuments and memories of the Plague, a solid 19th century school building refurbished for the 2lst century, and the remains of our medieval village cross re-instated by the schoolmaster.

BEESTON LIBRARY Foster Avenue NG9 1AE

Friday 10th, two tours at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm

Look behind the scenes at our 'New Look Library'

Pre-Booking is required by contacting the Library on 0115 925 5168

CHILWELL ROAD METHODIST CHURCH

Chilwell Road , Beeston NG9 1EH

Saturday 11^th, 10.00 am. – 3.00 pm.

Including a new exhibition by Beeston & District History Society. Refreshments will also be available.

GIRLGUIDING BEESTON DIVISION HQ

Adjacent Beeston Youth & Community Centre

West End , Beeston NG9 1GL

Saturday 11th 10.00 am – 4.00 pm

Centenary Exhibition including History of Guiding in Beeston

There will be some activities for children

Refreshments available

JOHN CLIFFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL

Nether Street Beeston NG9 2AT

Saturday 11th, 10.00 am. to 12.00 noon

A guided tour of this Victorian School building dating from 1898. John Clifford was a local Baptist Minister and through his efforts the School was established. It later became a Senior Boys School but is now a successful Primary School. Wheelchair access is not available to all floors.

NOTTS FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

Hassocks Lane, Beeston NG9 2GQ

Thursday 9th one tour only starting at 10.00 am

Highfield Information Day

10.00. Coffee/Tea

10.15 Introductions to Highfield including History of Highfields and how it came about.

10.45 Tour of Station including explanation of appliances at Highfields. 11.45 Question & Answer session

12.00 noon end of tour

Maximum number 50.

Refreshments available

BEESTON PARISH CHURCH,

ST.JOHN THE BAPTIST BEESTON Chilwell Road NG9 1EY

Thursday 9^th and Friday 10^th, 11.30 am. – 1.30 pm. and Saturday 11^th, 10.00 am. – 4.00 pm (subject to any weddings taking place)

Come and see the newly refurbished parish church in the heart of Beeston. The chancel dates from c1500 and the nave was rebuilt in 1843-4 to the design of George Gilbert Scott. It is now more versatile and has disabled access. Chairs have replaced the pews and the whole church is sensitively lit to enhance the beautifully cleaned woodwork and stonework. An accompanying exhibition will be a display of the Church and its activities

Refreshments available

The Bell Tower will be open on Saturday from 10.00 am – 12.00.noon, for an insight into the life of a bellringer and the little known art of church bell-ringing. Please note that access is only available to the bell ringing platform and not to the top of the tower.

TRADITIONAL MORRIS & SWORD DANCING

Venues include; The Square, Beeston NG9 2JG (at 2.30 pm)

The Hop Pole and The Victoria Hotel

Saturday 11th 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm

A display of traditional Morris and Sword Dancing by various local groups, led by Alistair Bloomfield from Sullivan's Sword

WOLLATON ROAD ALLOTMENTS

Central Avenue , Beeston NG9 2PH

Please note that access is only available from the Central Avenue entrance.

Saturday 12^th, 12.00 noon – 4.00 pm

A Tour of these interesting allotments. There will be stalls selling produce, a barbeque, and tours of the Community Garden

Refreshments available

BRAMCOTE

BRAMCOTE OLD CHURCH TOWER

Moss Drive, Bramcote NG9 3NF

(Also known as The Sunken Church) Tower & Grounds

Saturday 11^t^h and Sunday 12^th, both at 12.00 noon - 4.00 pm.

13th century church. Abandoned and left to house memorial stones. Known as the ‘Sunken Church’. These tombs and memorials are now being restored. Possible trips to the tower. There will be an opportunity to view the recently installed Medieval Physic Garden . Richard Upton will also be conducting tours of the site of Bramcote Hall during the event.

Refreshments available

ST.MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS CHURCH

Church Street , Bramcote NG9 3HD

Sunday 12th 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm

Church Open for special event with Presentation by Bramcote History Group including displays of certain aspects of village history. Displays in Church Centre will be about Bramcote 1900-1920 15 minute presentations at 2.00p.m. 3.00.p.m. and 4.00.p.m. pointing out specific points of interest about the Church, particularly relating to well known Bramcote families.

Refreshments available

CHILWELL

BARTONS PLC GARAGE

Barton Building , The Garage, 63 High Road , BEESTON NG9 4AJ

Saturday 11th, 9.00 am – 1.00 pm

A Static display of vintage Barton vehicles plus a display of memorabilia

CHILWELL DEPOT

Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell NG9 5HA

Friday 10th one tour only, at 1.00 pm

A rare opportunity to see the memorial of the 1918 Explosion, this will be accompanied by a BBC film.

Pre-Booking is required by telephone 0115 9677260 at least one month before date of the event. (This is because clearance has to be arranged with the MOD and names and addresses verified)

Max 60 people, Refreshments available at the end of the tour in the Sergeant's Mess.

G.H. HURT & SON ‘THE SHAWL FACTORY’

65 High Road , Chilwell NG9 4AJ.

Saturday 11^th, 9.00 am. – 1.00 pm.

Founded in 1912, G.H. Hurt & Son is a family firm which knits hand-finished scarves and shawls in Chilwell. Established in an old seed warehouse built in 1781, the business has remained on the site to the present day. See some of the factory's rare lace-knitting machines in action.

INHAM NOOK ALLOTMENTS

off Slade Road , Pearson Avenue , Chilwell NG9 4GS

Saturday 11^th, 10.00 am. – 12.00 noon (may be extended)

Produce including vegetables, eggs and garden supplies for sale.

STAPLEFORD

ST.HELEN'S CHURCH

Church Street , Stapleford NG9 8FN

Saturday 11th 10.00 am – 4.30 pm & Sunday 12th 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm

A mainly medieval Church but restored in 1878 by T.G.Jackson and more recently re-ordered in 2008. Contains a stone cross which dates from around AD1000 which is believed to be the oldest Church Memorial in the Midlands. The Church also contains a Memorial Tablet to Thomas Gray the originator of Royal Mail Coaches in the North Aisle of the Church and a tablet to Sir John Borlase Warren MP, and Ambassador to Russia.

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If you would like to participate in a future Heritage Open Day, or have suggestions for which properties you would like to see involved, then please contact the Society by e-mail. The next set of Heritage Open Days will be taking place during September 2011. You may also want to visit the English Heritage website dedicated to Heritage Open Days.

We would like to thank all the staff & volunteers at the above venues, and Councillor Steve Carr, for their generous support

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