Saturday 14th September will be the first in the new season of Cake and Coffee Concerts followed by Heritage Open Day at Bromsgrove’s Grade I listed church building.
Cake and Coffee Concert “Delightful Duets” starts the day at 10.30am on Saturday 14th September with local musicians Alastair Moseley and Steve Cowperthwaite performing solos and duets for piano and organ. Come along and be entertained with some of Steve and Alastair’s favourite, uplifting pieces creating a musical journey which will fill the building with joyful sounds. After the concert visitors are invited to indulge in homemade cakes with a drink and chat to fellow attendees then take a look around the building and exploring the churchyard.
STEM Ambassadors and Avoncroft Museum join Friends of Heritage Open Days at St John’s Church
From 12.00 noon to 2pm the bellringing team will open the Bell Tower. Visitors are encouraged to climb 50 steps on the spiral staircase to the Bell Chamber to learn about bellringing and have a go themselves. A further 50 are needed to reach the tower battlements to admire far-reaching views across Bromsgrove. Please note that the weather conditions will impact on both bell ringing and access to the tower top parapet.
Inside the ancient building visitors will be inspired with heritage information and “make and take” crafts.
Join the team from Avoncroft Museum to build a timber framed house or make clay bricks.
Help Friends of St John’s assemble a model of the church with a STEM Ambassador. Learn how the church was built and the engineering of Worcestershire’s tallest spire.
Explore outside on a treasure hunt.
Have a go on the church organ and take a look inside to see how it works.
Hunt for the vicar’s keys and chat to the church historian.
Take a seat in Bromsgrove’s inspiring heritage building whilst enjoying refreshments.
Everyone is welcome at St John’s for these free to attend events.
Heritage Open Day at St John’s has received £1,855 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It takes place during Heritage Open Days and is supported by Bromsgrove District Council through the #ReNEW (rediscover North East Worcestershire) initiative.
Annual Ride & Stride for Historic Churches
Saturday 14th September is also the date for the annual Ride & Stride day, organised by Worcestershire and Dudley Historic Churches Trust.
Churches open for Ride & Stride on Saturday 14th September include: Christ Church Catshill B61 9LH 10am – 4pm; St. John’s B60 7JW 9.30am – 3.30pm; St. Mary’s Hanbury B60 4BP 8am – 5pm; St. Michael and All Angels Stoke Prior B60 4JT 10am – 4pm.
Participants are sponsored to walk, run, cycle, ride or even drive to as many churches as possible during the day. Funds raised are split 50-50 between the Historic Churches Trust to support work preserving places of worship within the Trust’s area, and a church of the participant’s choice. It’s a great way to see your local area and visit some beautiful buildings, as well as raising much-needed funds.
Please check the website for more information and for any changes to timings: www.rideandstrideworcs.org