For the tenth year running All Saints once again took part in Heritage Open Days, on Sunday, 13 September. HOD is sponsored by the National Trust in this country and is part of a European wide movement whereby buildings and sites of particular importance are encouraged to invite the public in for free to see what treasures there are in the country. All Saints, grade 1, and its associated buildings, grade 2* or 2, have been referred to as of national importance, and John Betjeman called it a ‘cathedral’. It appears in several books on churches.
Durinf the afternoon Dr. Relf Clark provided a magnificent organ recital, and Ken Smith gave a guided tour of the church, but visitors could come at any time and informative leaflets were (and still are) available for them to look around at their own pace.
As an example, this is what could be found in the leaflet, referring to the roundels above the East window.(Have you ever wondered what they are?) "Above the hood of the East window are depicted the seven Virtues. From lower left to lower right: Fortitude a figure holding a dove; Prudence a figure holding a snake; Justice a figure holding scales. These three are in sculptured Bath stone. Faith is traced in the brickwork as a Patriarchal cross; Temperance a figure holding a goblet; Hope a figure with hands in prayer; Charity (or Love) a figure holding a linen shirt. These three are also in sculptured Bath stone. Faith, Hope and Charity are the virtues according to St. Paul. Fortitude, Prudence, Justice and Temperance are the virtues according to Socrates." They were carved by William Earp a foremost sculptor of the mid-Victorian age, who also sculpted the font, the pulpit and the wall monuments.
Historical photos and newspaper cuttings were provided for people to inspect, a series of slides about the tower and floor restorations could be seen on the TV and Claire Popple provided a very interesting display about how some people who are buried in the churchyard lived and worked. And as a bonus Jo and Jenny kindly provided cream teas.
In thanksgiving the day was rounded off with the quiet yet uplifting service of Evensong.