The final meeting, before the summer break, was held on Friday 27 June in Ticknall Village Hall when the speaker was Philip Heath. Philip gave an illustrated talk on the churches of South Derbyshire to an extremely large audience.
The members and visitors were kept enthralled by the history of the churches and how they had been adapted over the centuries. In the district there are 15 grade 1 and 29 grade 2 churches varying from the large churches in Melbourne and Repton to the small churches at Calke and Stanton.
Philip explained how the Saxon Crypt in Repton Church was lost until 1770 and of its significance as a royal burial place for the Saxon Kings of Mercia. He also described the cathedral size church at Melbourne and how it was used by the Bishop of Carlisle as his cathedral church. He informed the audience that as a royal church it had a double chancel – the upper floor for the king and the ground floor for “common folk”.
The talk was enthusiastically received by the audience and Philip answered many questions.
Coming soon
The next season of 10 talks will commence on Friday, 26 September 2008 at 7.30 pm in Ticknall Village Hall when the speaker will be Dr Joan D’Arcy on Medieval Darley Abbey preceded by a brief AGM. All are welcome - £1 members or £2 non-members.
