All Saints’ Church in Sandon has marked the progress of its heritage restoration project with a special celebration, while a display of 2,000 handmade poppies is now welcoming visitors in the run up to Remembrance Day.
The church has hosted a programme of activities throughout September and October, including heritage tours, school visits and a celebration attended by the Lord-Lieutenant and other invited guests.
The work forms part of a project supported by more than £600,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, helping to conserve historic features of the church and encourage more people to discover its history.
Historic features returned to view
A Heritage Open Day on Sunday 20 September gave visitors an opportunity to see conservation work carried out on the church’s wall paintings, Tudor monuments and stained glass windows.
Among the features on display was the Royal Coat of Arms, which was reinstalled on 10 September following conservation.
During the work, conservators discovered that part of the original canvas had been folded around its frame. This meant the wooden frame had to be widened to accommodate the full painting, which returned to the church larger than when it left.
Members of the church’s history group explained the work to visitors, while other activities included a lunchtime organ recital, family crafts and graveyard tours.
The church also welcomed the Staffordshire Military Wives Choir for a concert on 12 September, while nearly 40 people attended a history walk on Sunday 4 October.
Schoolchildren have been involved in the project too, with pupils from Hanley St Luke’s exploring the church’s history and churchyard biodiversity with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
Teenagers from St Peter’s Church of England Academy in Fenton also tested a new escape room style challenge, solving clues linked to features around the building. Their visit included handbell ringing, Tudor dressing up activities and an outdoor trail.
On Wednesday 7 October, volunteers, project partners and invited guests came together for a celebration recognising the work completed so far.
Two thousand poppies for Remembrance
One of the church’s latest projects is a display of 2,000 handmade poppies, created by members of its Knit, Sew and Natter group.
The original aim was to produce 1,000 poppies, but the volunteers reached that target and continued making them.
The completed display can be seen inside All Saints’ Church each Sunday until 22 November, between 1.30pm and 4pm.
The church will also open on Wednesday 11 November, Remembrance Day, from 10am until 12 noon. A two minute silence will be observed, with the church bells rung half muffled in remembrance of those who lost their lives in conflicts.
The usual Remembrance Sunday service will take place on 8 November.
Christmas Tree Festival to follow
Looking ahead to Advent, All Saints’ will hold a Christmas Tree Festival featuring ten trees decorated by local organisations.
The festival runs from Sunday 29 November until Sunday 20 December, with opening times as follows:
- Sundays, 1.30pm to 4pm
- Saturdays 5, 12 and 19 December, 10am to 1pm
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a children’s Christmas Tree Trail and refreshments, with craft activities planned for 29 November, 12 December and other selected dates.
Further information about the church, its heritage project and upcoming events is available at www.sandonallsaints.com.
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