Heritage Open Day - Creativity Exhibition in Eckington Parish Church

About

A display on the theme of creativity by Eckington people, past and present, in the beautiful church of St Peter and St Paul, the oldest building in Eckington, and an architectural gem. You will find stained glass, fine carvings and artwork. Refreshments available.

The exhibition in the church will feature people born or living locally who have been or are involved in creativity of all types, either in producing it or in some cases sponsoring the work of other artists in areas including art, poetry and architecture. You may be surprised!

We have writers, musicians, artists and crafters. These include the radical writer Joseph Gales, who emigrated to the USA in the 18th Century and is famous there, the three Sitwell family siblings, active in the 20th Century as writers and sponsors of art including the war poet Wilfred Owen, and the female trumpeter, Joan Hinde, who played with many mid 20th Century big bands

The Grade 1 listed church in which the exhibition will take place is the parish church of Eckington in North East Derbyshire. First dedicated in 1100 AD, it is a mainly Norman building in the 12th and 13th Century styles. It has an impressive square tower added in the mid 12th Century, with a spire added at some time in the 13th. This houses the church bells: the original bells date back to the 16th Century.

The church stands in its own grounds and an area of burial monuments remains.
The church has strong links with the Sitwell family (owners of the Renishaw Estate) and the Wells (Mining Managers) families. Both made substantial art gifts to the church.