Friends of St Peter's, Great Berkhamsted

NEWS RELEASE

22^nd August 2016

A horse-drawn hearse will be making an appearance at the third Heritage Open Day which will be opened by Mayor of Berkhamsted Tom Ritchie at 2pm on Sunday 11th September.

New for this year are:

• Harrison Landscape Architects will be on hand to show what is planned
• A ‘Notable Women of Berkhamsted Past’ trail to add to the trails for World War heroes and educational trails
• Beekeeping talk/demonstration
• John Wellburn of the Herts family History Society
• St Peter’s funeral bier (from Pitstone Museum)
• Thoby Davis singing songs of the 70s and 80s
• Swan Youth Project Music group
• Daria Kulesh singing ethereal folk songs.

The climax of the day will be the Lantern Parade from 19.50 which will make its way from St Peter’s to the Cemetery accompanied by the Mississippi Swamp Dog Jazz Band and culminating in choral singing and illumination of the Cemetery.

James Moir, Trustee of the Friends of St Peter’s and convenor of the Rectory Lane Project, said “This Heritage Open Day is a particularly good opportunity for everyone to see how the Cemetery could be in the future and to have their say in its development. Visitors can still contribute and comment on our plans to evolve this site so rich in heritage into a sustainable community asset for the future. Visitors will be able to see some of the progress achieved such as the opening of the Sexton’s Hut and the restoration of the remarkable Seat of Remembrance as well as enjoying lots of free entertainment.’

Further information and timings will be available from September 1^st on the website

http://www.stpetersberkhamstedfriends.org.uk

The Rectory Lane Cemetery acknowledges funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, Berkhamsted Town Council, Dacorum Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council.  

About The Friends of St Peter’s

Launched in 2013 it is a Registered Charity (Registered Charity Number 1160314). The Friends encourage a wider appreciation of the church and its churchyards as a rich store of local and architectural history. Together with the Cowper Society they are responsible for the management of concerts, recitals and other events in St Peter’s Church. They organise social and fund-raising events and act as a focus and resource for all who are interested in the continuing history of our town. The Friends provide an opportunity for individuals, families, local institutions and businesses to become involved in the care and conservation of this irreplaceable heritage.

Further information

• For Friends of St Peters: Elaine Mercer 07866118749 elainelmercer@yahoo.co.uk or Dr James Moir 07545 786372 jamesmgmoir@aol.com