Chester prepares to welcome public to Heritage Open Days

Sep 7 2009 by Allison Dickinson, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER’S celebration of Heritage Open Days was launched at the city’s first ever cathedral at St John’s Church.

The event runs from Thursday, September 10 to Sunday, September 13 and once again, the public has free access to a great variety of attractive and historically important buildings in Chester and the surrounding area.

This year’s programme includes 41 buildings and a wide range of free tours and events, all given by Blue Badge Guides or local volunteers with specialist knowledge of the city.

The Rev David Chesters, rector of the Chester Diocese, is leading the current appeal for a £10 million programme over the next ten years for the restoration and enhancement of St John’s Church.

He said: “We would be delighted if local residents and visitors pop in to the church during Heritage Open Days and see the magnificent Norman Nave to find out for themselves why this appeal is so important, and to find out what our plans for change are.”

Councillor Hilarie McNae, Sheriff of Chester and official champion for the historic environment for Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “Our historic buildings tell us the story of what makes Chester the city it is today, they are as relevant now as the day they were built.

“Our cultural, social and economic future depends on us caring for those buildings and sites that make the city unique and so attractive. Above all, the buildings are there for us to enjoy, so please do take a look around you and visit some of the wealth of buildings that are open to view.”

The full programme is available in a new booklet available from The Tourist Information Centre, The Grosvenor Museum, Chester History and Heritage and local libraries or downloaded from www.heritageopendayschester.co.uk.

A comprehensive round-up of events taking place during Heritage Open Days in this area will appear in this Thursday’s Chronicle.