IT'S Whitchurch – but not from an angle that you'd usually see it.
Visitors were given a rare chance to get behind the scenes of the town's treasured heritage sites as part of the latest Heritage Open Days events – the first time it has been held since 2019.
Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture and it was held in the town on Friday, September 16 and Saturday, September 17.
It was run by volunteers from Whitchurch Museum and Archives who are based in the Heritage Centre in St Mary's Street.
The event gave visitors free access experiences and events across England, including access to sites which usually charge admission and visitors to the event in Whitchurch were able to visit seven sites, Heritage Centre, Masonic Hall, Church House, Ice House, Tithe Barn site, St Alkmund’s church, Church Tower.
The tours were sold out and Terry Fry, a volunteer and trustee for Whitchurch Museum and Archives said many people were from Whitchurch and surrounding towns and villages and they were able to see sites which are usually not open to the public.
He added: "It was very successful. The most popular places were the Ice House in Sainsburys car park, the Heritage Centre and going up St Alkmund's tower.
"It proved to be quite a useful way of attracting people from the town into the Heritage Centre and to see these historical sites which would not normally be available and open."
It was the first event since 2019 and Terry spoke about the positive reaction from visitors on the tour of every site.
He said: "It was hard work, but rewarding and we had a very positive reaction from everybody who visited every site.
"Reactions, such as never realising this was here and how nice to be able to see the seat of history in a town.
"I think the open days were really appreciated by people in the town."
Terry said the centre is preparing for the event next year, with plans to visit new sites.
He explained: "We are starting to think about new sites for next year.
"Because these things take a bit of organising particularly if they are privately owned.
"You need to work with the owner over quite a long period of time to prepare for this.
"So we are thinking about new sites and new things for next year now."
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/WhitchurchHeritageCentre or email info@whitchurch-heritage.co.uk
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