At Midday, today, Westminster’s Big Ben is set to fall silent for the longest period in its 157 year history. Refurbishment and new development work, potentially lasting almost four years, means that the famous chimes will no longer contribute to the soundtrack of London and indeed, British life. But did you Read more
Heritage
The new interpretation for the base of the tower was installed, today, specifically designed to inform and educate children and younger visitors. A large, wall-mounted panel presents an activity-based challenge relating to the main themes of our heritage, from ‘Sandy the squirrel’. This is supported by Read more
We were greeted this Sunday morning to the first stage of the redevelopment of the town centre, as a number of the unoccupied old shop buildings were demolished on Baker Street. It really is a strange sight to anyone who has grown up with the buildings! The space will make way for a new, inner […]Read more
Today would have been the 200th birthday of famous mathematician and ‘mother of computing’, Ada Lovelace, Lord Byron’s daughter. Local historian David Heathcote presented two talks within the church, celebrating the life, works and legacy of this ‘enchantress of numbers’, as she was Read more
A ceramic copy of the wreath used at Lord Byron’s funeral has returned from cleaning and restoration and is now protected from further deterioration, by a perspex case in which it is enclosed. Historically, the wreath was positioned very high up on the south wall of the south transept, above the old toilet, Read more
Past visitors will already know that the Byron family vault lies directly beneath the chancel, within St Mary Magdalene church. There has been a simple, wooden structure above the spot where Byron family members rest, ever since the Deus was added to the front of the chancel when repairs were made to the old Read more
Now that the church’s clock mechanism has been electrified, the old weight chamber that runs from around half way up the tower, to cellar level, is no longer needed. Removing the chamber would also free up space within the base of the tower, inside church. Carefully, the old wooden cavity has been dismantled Read more
The church clock, which was gifted by the Duke of Portland back in 1884, has now had its mechanism electrified and has returned to serving time to the town. Following hot on the heels of a refurbishment of all four clock faces, Smiths of Derby have installed an electric winding mechanism to replace the team […]Read more
The keen-eyed among you will have noticed that the scaffolding which had ‘adorned’ the church tower throughout the spring and summer has, finally, now been removed. Now the church has a beautifully restored tower, thanks to generous support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The entire tower has Read more
Our new heritage interpretation panels and displays were delivered and installed, today. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), we have recently been fortunate to receive a substantial grant to help with restoration of the fabric of the church and also to better interpret the church and its associated Read more