Plenty Of Heritage Across The Borough This Weekend

Published on: 5 Sep, 2016
Updated on: 7 Sep, 2016

There will be free access to more than 100 venues and events including buildings, churches, walks, talks, tours and art exhibitions across Guildford later this week as part of Heritage Open Days.

The annual event runs from Thursday to Sunday, September 8 to 11 and here is a small selection of what’s on offer.

Built in 1896 as the western post of 13 fortified positions to defend London against a possible invasion by the French, Henley Fort, on The Mount, is the most complete of those remaining. Hidden from casual view, the fort has outstanding views across the Thames Valley and on a clear day you can see London.

On Sunday, September 11, the fort will be open between 11am and 3pm and will be brought to life by period re-enactors from The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment Re-enactment Society.

The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment Re-enactment Society will be at Henley Fort.

. The society will be joined by staff from the Surrey Infantry Museum, who will be displaying photographs and information about the museum, as well as artefacts rescued after the devastating fire at Clandon Park last year.

Throughout the day, re-enactors will provide tours and information about the fort itself, and a there will be two history talks with demonstrations of weapons of the Victorian period – including the Martini Henry rifle – at noon and 2pm.

The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment Re-enactment Society is a Guildford-based group founded in 2003, and is unique in portraying both the regular and volunteer battalions of one of the British Army’s oldest regiments.

Have a chat with The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment Re-enactment Society – you might like to join them!

The society is currently looking for new recruits, so if you have an interest in military history, and want to try a new hobby and make some great friends, see them at Henley Fort or get in contact through their website www.q2vb.co.uk or Facebook page www.facebook.com/queens2vb.

The Trinity Centre (upper hall) in Trinity Churchyard, off Guildford High Street, is hosting two illustrated talks.

On Saturday, September 10, at 2.15pm, the chairman of The Guildford Society’s design and heritage group, Doug Scott’s talk is titled Sir Richard Weston and the Wey Navigation.

Hear about the Wey Navigation and its creator Sir Richard Weston.

Learn how Sir Richard brought flood meadows, the navigation and wealth to Guildford.

At 4.15pm on Saturday, Carol Brown of Guildford Museum is giving a talk titled Vignettes of Guildford People – Warts ‘n’ All!

Carol Brown is giving a talk about characters who had a connection with Guildford.

There are many people with connections to Guildford other than Lewis Carroll! Her illustrated talk will introduce you to some – from dukes to ordinary folk with their tales and maybe a murder or two along the way.

There is plenty to see and do at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village in Compton. On Saturday and Sunday there will be tours and demonstrations.

Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village will be welcoming visitors for Heritage Open Days.

Children will be encouraged to be GF Watts’ apprentice as they follow him through his gallery, learning about his life and work on a child-friendly tour.

See GF Watts’ famous Victorian masterpieces as well as the exhibition Close Up & Personal: Victorians & their Photographs, featuring highlights from two major collections of Victorian photography to explore how Victorian society quickly became obsessed by this new medium.

At Watts Studios see where and how the artist and his wife, Mary Watts, worked.

Take a look round the gallery and displays at Compton.

Also open will be The Watts Gallery Archive and Limnerslease, the artists’ house, which is not usually open to the public.

Watts Chapel, the unique, ornately decorated Grade I listed building situated a short stroll from the visitor centre is a must for Arts & Crafts enthusiasts. Horse and carriage rides from the cisitor centre to Watts Chapel are also back by popular demand.

Also see art exhibition Linocut Lives On; the David Pike Conservation Studio, where visitors can see a conservator at work, carefully restoring paintings to their former glory; The Foyle Pottery Studio where visitors can see a the ceramicist Adrienne Roberts at work as well as try out pottery making in traditional terracotta; an exhibition of work created through The Big Issues project, part of Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village’s Art for All learning programme which supports the philanthropic interests of GF Watts and provides access to art for society’s underprivileged young people and adults. Plus, family woodland trails in the surrounding countryside of the Artists’ Village, with a range of art trails suitable for children of all ages.

At Guildford Museum in Quarry Street on Saturday, September 10, there will be a book signing. Surrey County Council’s specialists finds officer, David Wynn Williams, who works with the Portable Antiquities Scheme will be signing copies of his new book 50 Finds From Surrey. It contans fascinating archaeological finds from the county. The signing is from noon 1o 1pm.

A free brochure listing all the Heritage Open Days events across the borough of Guildford is available from the tourist information centre in the High Street and at the council’s Millmead offices. It can be downloaded from the council’s website.

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