Saturday 4th March 2023 10 am – 3 pm at Haughley Park Barn
Programme
How it all Began SHCT the First 50 years – Howard Stephens
A Look at Victorian Churches – Roy Tricker BEM
Furnishing & Decorating the Medieval Church – Clive Paine
The day took place on 4th March at Haughley Park Barn
Howard Stephens started the day with ‘How it all Began SHCT the First 50 years’ with the story of those especially concerned about the parlous state of many of Suffolk’s medieval churches. In 1973 under the leadership of the then Duke of Grafton several people with an interest in Suffolk’s eccesiastical heritage got together to form the Trust to raise funds for repair grants. The talk was illustrated with photos from the archives plus some fascinating facts and figures on how much has been achieved
Roy Tricker shared his enthusiasm and love of the Victorians influence on Suffolk’s churches illustrated with many photographs and drawings which served to underline how they made a significant contribution to the preservation of medieval churches and also built some interesting churches of their own such as Higham, St. Stephen by Sir George Gilbert Scott.
In the afternoon Clive Paine talked about how our churches were furnished and decorated in medieval times and how much has survived. Rooves, figures and niches; wall paintings, stone carving, woodcarving there is so much to look out for. Clive with his expert knowledge was able to point out so much that is still visible but with significance not always understood. Highlights included the distinctive work of Master Mason Hawes of Occold, one of the few mastercraftman known to us by name. Also the facinating range of roof carvings at Gazley recently photographed for a book Men, Myths and Monsters.
Higham, St. Stephen Occold arcade, Wingfield Angel and organ Gazeley