THROUGHOUT the Middle Ages, Wells was the home of many creative stonemasons who gave the city a legacy of stunning stone carvings which survive for people to enjoy today.
On Saturday, September 13, for Heritage Open Days, Wells Cathedral, St Cuthbert’s Church and Wells Museum are offering visitors a unique opportunity to celebrate this glorious heritage.
Tours will start at St Cuthbert’s where visitors will be able to admire the rarely seen painted 15th-century sculpture fragments and hear their dramatic story. Also at St Cuthbert’s, throughout the day, stonemason Paul Rodden will be demonstrating the unchanged skills of stone carving. There will be refreshments all day and stone-painting activities for children.
At the church, visitors will be given passes which will give them free entry to the Cathedral to enjoy a tour with specialist guides to learn about the stone carvings and the carvers whose creativity has given the Cathedral its character, including the magnificent West Front.
On the same day, Wells Museum is offering free admission to visitors to follow their Stone Trail and get up really close to the statuary on display there.
Tours will start at St Cuthbert’s at 10am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. There is no charge but places must be booked, either by contacting office@stcuthbertswells.co.uk or through Wells Cathedral website.
Explorers welcome
THERE will be an Open Day at the City of Wells Almshouses on Saturday, September 20, from 11am-4pm.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful gardens and medieval buildings as well as the Guild Room and the newly renovated chapel. Walking guide leaflets will be available. The Simply Uke! ukulele band will play in the chapel between 1pm and 2pm.
The Almshouses are at the back of St Cuthbert’s Church and on Priest Row.
‘Hidden treasure’
WHAT has been described as Wells’ hidden treasure, St Joseph & St Teresa Catholic Church on Chamberlain Street, Wells, will be open for visitors for Heritage Open Days.
People will be able to tour the church – that was built for the Carmelites nearly 150 years ago – in the company of knowledgeable guides or just walk around by themselves, and find out why it has an unusual L-shape.
It will be open on Saturday, September 13, and Wednesday, September 17, from 11am-3pm. Tea and cakes will be available.
Light-hearted drama
ON Sunday, September 14, as part of Heritage Open Days, there is a chance to meet some of the ‘inhabitants’ of St Cuthbert’s Church, past and present.
A short, light-hearted drama – If Only the Stones Could Talk – will introduce the audience to an angel, some saints, some giggly Victorians… and more. It will be somewhat informative, vaguely historical – and totally ridiculous. It starts at 3pm. Entry is free and no booking is needed.
Cream teas will be available afterwards, in aid of the church’s Lighting Fund.
Pop-up display
WELLS Town Hall is hosting a new pop-up display as part of Heritage Open Days looking at how the city border has been described in items from the Wells City Archives collection.
The display on Thursday, September 18, will show some of the earliest maps in the collection and how they changed over time. Thanks to Lambeth Palace Library, there will also be a chance to see a photographic copy of one of the earliest known maps of Wells, from 1601.
The display will also explore how the boundary was described before the city was even mapped, in stones at the edge of the city, and in a curious description from one of the earliest records in the Wells City Archive collection.
• Further details of all events at www.heritageopendays.org.uk