Saxon past is pure gold for church
A CHURCH is hoping to tap into Stoke-on-Trent's growing Saxon scene by attracting more sightseers.
Stoke Minster has extended its opening hours following the creation of a pilgrimage route passing through the town.
And the church's Saxon heritage should also be a draw for people visiting the delights of the Staffordshire Hoard at Hanley's Potteries Museum and Art Gallery.
Now more volunteers are wanted to help out at Stoke Minster during the week to keep the doors open and welcome the tourists.
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The Welcome Minster project has seen the church extend its opening hours from just one hour a day.
Signs are also set to be installed directing walkers from the newly-created Two Saints Way – which links Chester Cathedral and Lichfield Cathedral – to the church.
Longer-term plans include creating a cafe and toilets in a leisure section of the church.
The Reverend Marg Hardcastle said: "The catalyst for this project has been the long-distance footpath.
"Added to this is the excellent new display for the Staffordshire Hoard at the Potteries museum and the Saxon-era links with the church which we hope will attract visitors to Stoke. We aim to achieve an improved visitor offer in the short to medium term through being open to the public for longer hours, offering light refreshments and appropriate visitor information."
Stoke Minster was founded in the 7th century as a holy place on the River Trent and is regarded as the birth place of Stoke-on-Trent.
Although the church was rebuilt in 1826 it still boasts its Anglo-Saxon font and carved stone preaching cross.
Thanks to the efforts of 11 volunteers, the church is currently open from midday to 3pm Wednesday to Saturday.
Volunteer co-ordinator Wendy Daw, of Barlaston, said: "The idea is that we are trying to keep the Minster open for as long as we can. The walk is very picturesque and we hope that by opening the church more often that it will encourage more people to come in. It doesn't look great if people get into Stoke and the doors are shut on the Minster."
Retired Wedgwood worker Mrs Daw, aged, 68, said: "We would like more volunteers and want to hear particularly from people who have an interest in seeing the Minster open to visitors.
"Sharing the heritage of the building within the context of the city, and offering a quiet reflective space to visitors is very important. We would like to be part of Stoke town centre and for people to feel welcome and get involved.
"The Minster offers a lot of historical features and we think the project will help to breathe some life back into it."
The church is also the burial place of many of the city's great manufacturers, with memorials to the Spode family and Josiah Wedgwood.
The church was redesignated as a Minster in 2005 because despite being a city Stoke-on-Trent does not have a cathedral.
For more information about volunteering, email wendydaw@aol.com.
Comments
by jstaffs
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 9:49AM
“...sorry I didn't make myself clear, Jonesystike I thought that church hypocrisy was clear to all.
All due respect but my point is that this is supposed to be Christian Church and all you ever see is ways in which to make money being mooted and tried, (cafes, jumble sales, raffles, shops affiliated) instead of concentrating on spiritual education and enlightenment. So what if its a Saxon church, so what if some church proclaimed saint walked through the area. The important things are: if it has a congregation are they bearing fruitful,..no, is the church minister preaching a permissive attidute to morality, materialism, nationalism in support of the armed forces, probably even supporting evolution, of course he is otherwise he would have no parishioners.
My point is that the church should not be getting involved in things that do not concern it, what does Staffordshire's tourism profile have to do with the Kingdom of God- nothing, but as it never reads the bible it wouldn't know that anyway. Yes you are right, God only does know it needs it, because it certainly ain't going to get any help from Him.”
by jonesystoke
Monday, October 22 2012, 9:12PM
“"and no doubt a bigger contributions bowl!" And your point is?
How many organisations do you know that can run on fresh air?
At least they're trying to upgrade Stoke's profile jstaffs, God only knows it needs it.”
by jstaffs
Monday, October 22 2012, 4:28PM
“"Longer-term plans include creating a cafe and toilets in a leisure section of the church.", and no doubt a bigger contributions bowl!”