Inside Richmond's hidden spaces from a bell tower to a tiny chapel
A rare glimpse behind the scenes at treasured settings in Richmond shares not just an incredible history but a raft of its secret spaces.
There's a bell tower, and a tiny chapel, and a chance to explore the district's lead mining past. Then ghost walks, and guided tours.
And this year, as part of free celebrations under Heritage Open Days, volunteers at The Green Howards Museum are to share some of the pitfalls of history.
Steve Erskine, museum researcher, might be given scant few details of a Yorkshire soldier to trace in the infantry's past.
He's seen it all, he said. And while popular television shows might make it look easy, his talk will share some of the complexities he's faced.
On one occasion, other than a very common name, all he knew was that a gentleman served in the First World War. And that he was short and missing a finger.…
Now, sharing the pitfalls and challenges of researching family history, this is a chance, he said, to hear other people's stories too.
“Heritage Open Days are a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and explore the stories, skills and traditions that have shaped Richmond," he added. "We are delighted to contribute to the programme with a talk that connects local and family history.”
Heritage Open Days is a festival celebrating history and culture and with groups across the country opening their doors for free.
Until September 21, Richmond and District Civic Society has orchestrated a programme of special events. This is a chance to discover hidden gems, teams said, as well as seeing much-loved landmarks from a fresh perspective.
Among highlights is the chance to visit the bell tower at St Mary's Church, in the company of the tower captain and ringers, to see its newly installed bells.
Another space usually closed to the public is the chapel of Holy Trinity Church, which will now invite people in to explore, while there are tours of Easby Abbey and parish church. Then the UK's oldest working theatre still in its original form at The Georgian Theatre Royal, and walks at Foxglove Covert Nature Reserve to see traditional scything in action.
There will be rare access to the Aske Hall estate, with a talk on the lead mining heritage of Upper Swaledale at Keld Visitor Centre and a guided walk of the historic racecourse. Visitors can delve into the Victorian history of Richmond Station, walk the town’s streets with a costumed policeman, or take part in a ghost walk through Richmond’s darker past.
Colin Grant, civic society chairman, said: " Heritage Open Days is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together in celebration of Richmond’s remarkable history and community."
See richmondcivicsociety.org for more.