Showcasing our treasures

This September, more than 200 of Wales’ historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems will offer visitors free entry, events or guided tours. Caroline Evans, Diocesan Tourism Officer, encourages churches to participate 

Open Doors, Wales’ annual contribution to the European Heritage Days initiative, invites heritage organisations, private owners, local authorities and others to open their doors or offer activities to the public free of charge during September. This is a major opportunity to extend our ministry of welcome by showing off our remarkable churches and their history and place in our communities. The closing date for initial registration is 1st July.

Funded and organised by Cadw, this annual festival of our built heritage will, this year, encourage residents of Wales, visitors and tourists to explore some of the lesser-known and smaller-scale sites. This is an ideal opportunity for some of our churches that are only open at service times, and a chance to welcome visitors on a selection of days in September, dependent on available volunteers. For others that are normally open, enhancing the visitor experience with events will help raise their profiles.

In previous years, some churches have held open days during the month (as few as two), some have put up displays, exhibitions, held concerts, talks and presentations both open and bookable, or given guided tours of the church and/or the churchyard. Others like Laugharne have linked with other sites nearby. The website at Cadw (https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/whats-on/open-doors/open-doors-resources) has a lot of useful resources and the team are supportive.

Some examples so far this year:

St Paul’s Church, Sketty: visits can be self-guided or led by volunteers who will show people around. Refreshments will be served.

St David's Church, Llywel, will be open for viewing its treasures, including access to the church records. Refreshments available.

St Michael's Church, Risca, will have the parish records of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials open for inspection. Refreshments available.

If you are interested in taking part in Open Doors, Cadw provides resources to help plan successful day/s such as:

• free public liability insurance
• booklet for organisers including an event planner guide, a media guide and press release template
• posters to advertise the Open Doors events across Wales and a poster which can be customised to your event/s
• evaluation forms
• inclusion on the national website
• potential to be highlighted in the national media campaign
• guidance on the phone (03000 256000) or via e-mail (OpenDoors@gov.wales)