New leaflets and interpretation panels are now on hand to help people explore churchyards in rural Wrexham as part of the Sacred Space project. They highlight significant features of historical and wildlife interest which can be found in the 12 special churchyards.
Project officer Heather Williams said: “The interpretation boards and leaflets will enhance any visit as they provide a fascinating guide to some of the things to look out for in the churchyards. It’s surprising just how much history and wildlife you can discover when you start to explore any of the 12 churchyards.”
The official launch will take place at St Mary’s Church, Chirk, on 11th September. The event, open to all, starts at 2pm with brief presentations from Will Davies of Cadw and Sue Cooper of Caring for God’s Acre. This will be followed by the unveiling of the St Mary’s interpretation panel in the churchyard by Jim Kelly, Mayor of Wrexham Council, and a tour using the churchyard leaflet.
This event, which coincides with a European Heritage Open Doors Day, will provide a rare opportunity to see inside the Trevor Mausoleum. The Grade II listed building, built in 1904 for Mary, the daughter of the second Lord Trevor, who died aged 5, features a beautiful life-size angel carrying the child.
The other churchyards which are part of the Sacred Space project are Bettisfield, Bronington, Erbistock, Eyton, Froncysyllte, Gresford, Hanmer, Isycoed, Penley, Rossett and Tallarn Green. Packs of the leaflets will be available at most of these churches and also at the Wrexham Tourist Information Centre and Tourist Information Points.
The literature is being launched as part of the Sacred Space project – an initiative which helps conserve the churchyards through a variety of activities, including wildlife surveys, conservation work and the recording and photographing of gravestones.
For further information about the project and the interpretation material, visit www.sacred-space.org.uk.
The project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
