Open days at heritage venues
FAMILIES and history fans can attend a series of Heritage Open Days in Hinckley and throughout the borough this September.
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of culture and history that takes place over two consecutive weekends on Saturday and Sunday, September 11 and 12 and continuing Saturday and Sunday, September 18 and 19.
The scheme aims to open up access and insight to buildings not generally seen by the public and includes a wide range of guided walking tours and exhibitions, events and activities that will appeal to families and history enthusiasts alike.
Councillor Keith Nichols, lead for culture, leisure, tourism and town centres at the borough council, said: “I am very pleased to see this event return for two weekends this year.
“Hinckley and Bosworth has so much history and culture to offer and the festival provides an interesting insight to the history of our older buildings and the opportunity to have a really good look around many of them, while exploring our borough at the same time.”
Events include:
The Atkins Building, Then and Now Exhibition, Friday, September 10 then daily from Monday, September 13 to Friday September 17, open 9am to 5pm. No booking required.
An exhibition documenting the journey of the Atkins Building from Victorian hosiery factory to the creative business centre it is today.
The focus of the exhibition will be the building’s transformation from factory to modern day workplace, telling the building’s story from factory through restoration to its present day use as a business and creative centre featuring images and objects including some never seen before images.
Refreshments are available from the Atkins building’s new onsite café the Hansom Café, which serves Fair Trade coffee, home made cakes, breakfasts and lunches.
Other opportunities to explore and learn more about historic buildings and sites in the area include:
Hinckley and District Museum, Lower Bond Street, Hinckley – Saturday, September 11 and Saturday, September 18, 10am to 4pm and Sunday, September, 19 2pm to 4pm.
Visit the thatched timber box
The festival provides an interesting insight to the history of our older buildings Coun Keith Nichols
framed cottages dating from the 1680s, housing a local history museum of Hinckley and the surrounding area.
See the framework knitters room setting with c.1740 stocking frame, and displays including “What did the Romans do for us?”, Richard III and the battle of Bosworth, “Beyond the wire - our POW experience”, and Sketchley Dyeworks.
“Secret” cottage garden and Fairtrade drinks are available. “Old fashioned” toys to play with, and children’s dressing up area too. No booking required.
St Mary’s Church, Hinckley Tower Tours - Friday, September 10 to Saturday, September 11 and Friday 17 to Saturday, September 18.
St Mary’s Church is offering visitors aged 16 and over the chance to climb the church tower and see the clock and carillon. You must be able to climb 50 steep steps. Places are strictly limited and booking is essential. To apply for a slot, contact Geoff Fuller on 07890 327286.
Castle Street and Argents Mead, Hinckley, Saturdays, September 11 and 18, 10am to 4pm.
Hinckley District Past and Present will have a stand on Castle Street within Hinckley Market showing Hinckley History, with display boards and members of the group to talk to members of the public.
There will also be some activity in Argents Mead, with Medieval food displays and falconry (falconry on Saturday 18 only).
Desford, St Martin’s Church, Main Street, Desford – Saturday September 11, 10am to 6pm.
Grade II*-listed
13th century church with many interesting and historic features.
There will be leaflets available for self-guided tours of the church and someone available to answer questions.
The gravestones in the churchyard have recently been put onto a database so that family history inquiries can now be answered. No booking required.
St Peter’s Church, Church Lane, Thornton - Saturday September 11, 10 am until 5pm and Sunday, September 12, 2pm until 5pm.
This 14th century grade I-listed church will be open to visitors. Historical information will be available.
Notable features of the building include an enormous door, six feet by nine, said to have come from the ruined priory of Ulverscroft, complete with its 13th century ironwork.
The church overlooks and can be accessed from Thornton Reservoir via the public footpath that runs through the churchyard. No booking required.
And for those who love motor heritage, Hinckley BID are holding their 10th annual Motor Show throughout Hinckley town centre on September 19 from 10am to 4.30pm.
All events are free to attend, booking required only where stated. For details of all participating venues visit: www.heritageopendays.org. uk/visiting