Saturday 21 June 10am-4pm Norman Churches Open Day

Visit Norman churches in the villages around Leominster, as illustrated in Rob Walker’s new booklet ‘The Normans in and around Leominster’. Bell towers will ring throughout the day. FREE

Enjoy finding out about the ancient ‘parochia’ of Leominster Priory by visiting other Norman churches in the area.

The following churches will be open, most providing refreshments, their own exhibitions and other entertainments: Yarpole, Eye, Orleton, Brimfield, Monkland, Ford, Hatfield, Pudleston, Bockleton, Leysters and Middleton-on-the-Hill.

To accompany the day Rob Walker has produced a new illustrated booklet ‘The Normans in and around Leominster’ which features the open churches. This will be available for sale at the Priory. Look out for the ‘Find Norman’ trail for the young at heart, available at all churches.

Several participating churches will have their own special events running throughout the day.

St Leonard’s Yarpole: The Chimers will ring at 11.30 and 2.30. The Gallery Café and Shop is open all day until 4pm for refreshments (toilet facilities available). There will also be an informative display in both the church and the incredible 12th Century Bell Tower.

St Michael’s Brimfield: Providing refreshments from 2-4pm (no toilet). There has probably been a church here since 1100. The most striking feature of the church is the tower. The two lower stages of the tower were added in early 13th century and the top stage which is close studded timber frame black and white in the 17th century. There are also fine furnishings, including a millennium window, quilt and altar cloth.

St Peter and St Paul, Eye: is a beautiful, rural medieval church dating from around 1190 in a stunning setting. Bells at 12.30

St George’s Church, Orleton: is a lovely example of a Grade I listed Norman Church. Built around 1125, it still has many features from this period visible, as well as a lot of 13th Century adaptations. There is already a lot of information on display on the Church’s history. From 20th June, there will be a specific display on the early history of St George’s. 2025 is also St George’s 900 year anniversary, so we have a year-long programme of celebratory events, for all ages and interests. Please visit our website and click on ‘Activities’ and then ‘Social events’ to see our full events programme.

Leominster Priory A Tolled Tale: 10am Enjoy a Tolled Tale with poet Catherine Swire performing poems about bells and weaving. Joined by artist Jackie Morris who will be showing the second iteration of her bell ringing inspired sculpture ‘Stedman Doubles’ and a performance of ‘Stedman Doubles’ by Leominster Priory Bellringers at 10.30.