Open House
Hunsdon Church are pleased to announce a new venture called Open House.
Open House will run a series of events through the year organised by members of the church for anyone to come and enjoy. The programme will be launched on 18th May (the day before St Dunstan’s Day) with an Open Day at the church. It is a complete coincidence that our vicar’s name is Mark Dunstan but kind of fun too. St Dunstan was an extraordinary character with a very interesting and intriguing story, including his association with the idea of a horseshoe being “lucky.” Come along to the open day to find out more!
Here are the Open House events coming up in May and June and a hint of more to come…
Sunday 18th May, 12.30-4pm: OPEN HOUSE, OPEN CHURCH
All are welcome to come and visit our beautiful village church. If you haven’t been before, it’s a stunning building with interesting frescoes and memorials. There will be a history talk and an opportunity to explore. (Did you know there has been a priest in Hunsdon since the 11th century and a church building since at least 1291?)
Weather permitting, brave Teddy-Bears (or other soft toys) are invited to take a parachute jump from the top of the tower, and there will be some other outdoor games and the opportunity to make nature notes and art around the churchyard (all materials provided). Indoors, there will be a Church Safari for children and brass rubbings in sketchbooks and there will be some live jazz music and delicious cream teas.
We hope you can join us to celebrate, enjoy and explore our beautiful church building.
26th May, 10am: BEATING THE BOUNDS (aka ‘walking the parish boundaries’)
We’re planning to re-create the ancient practice of ‘Beating the Bounds’ on Monday 26th May (a Bank Holiday), meeting at 10am at the Crown.
‘Beating the Bounds’ is a tradition which dates back to medieval Britain (before the Norman Conquest) and is a way of marking the boundary lines of church parishes. It generally took place during ‘Rogationtide’, a time when crops were blessed, which this year falls on 25th-28th May. Before maps were commonplace, beating the bounds was a way of re-affirming the territories of each parish, as well as a way to pass the knowledge on from one generation to another. The parish boundaries determined important issues, such as where parishioners could graze their livestock, so parishioners needed to understand the boundaries. The practice involved walking the boundary of the parish tapping the boundary markers – stones, gate posts, walls, and trees – with sticks or canes as they passed. In medieval times, when the boundary stones were reached, any boys in attendance were whipped to make sure they would remember where the boundaries were (to pass it on to future generations) and were paid two pence each “for their pains.” We are not planning to recreate this part of the tradition!
Walking the entire Parish boundary would take 6-8 hours and follow some very twisty routes over private land…so we are planning instead to walk to the eastern boundary then to the western boundary and finally back to the Crown, all along public footpaths. We will try to walk roughly together, so no-one gets left behind. The walk is about 3.5 miles and should take 1.5-2 hours at a leisurely pace with a stop for refreshments. Dogs on leads are welcome.
ART WORKSHOPS (on the theme of summer garden)
We have booked some art sessions with local artist, Laura Pitman, in Hunsdon Village Hall. No prior experience necessary. Come and have a go! Or if you are an experienced artist, come and enjoy making some art. Thursday 5th June 1-3pm and Monday 9th June, 7:30-9:30pm.
Materials will be provided. We’ll have everything you need, such as charcoal, pencils, paper, acrylic paints, brushes, paper for collaging, glue, rubbers etc. Bring your own apron or wear clothes you don’t mind getting mucky! If have your own materials, you are welcome to bring them. When you draw or paint, it can be therapeutic as your focus changes to what you are doing with your hands and seeing with your eyes. People often think “I can’t do art” but when they start, they realise they can! Drawing and painting is such an adventure!
MORE … fancy a conversation with a Paralympian or some stand-up comedy? We have it…
More details on all these events (and more) are available at openhouse.hunsdonchurch.org where you can register to attend (it is helpful for us to know in advance how many are coming). If you can’t book online, please call 01920 877276 to reserve your place.
We’re also on Facebook (Open House Hunsdon) and Instagram @open_house_hunsdon.
