Former Archbishop of Canterbury to open heritage weekend

Lord Carey of Clifton, who lives in Newbury, will officially open the four day event, outside Newbury Town Hall in the Market Place, at 10am on Saturday September 8, organisers, Newbury Society confirmed this week.
The society’s vice-chairman, Anthony Pick, said last year, about 3,000 visits were made to 13 historic properties open throughout the Newbury area: “We hope to achieve a similar number this year,” said Mr Pick.
A total 17 properties will open doors to welcome visitors to this year’s heritage weekend, including the 13 which opened last year.
The additional four properties open to visitors this year include: Donnington Hospital, New Greenham Arts, St Mary’s Church in Thatcham and St Mary’s Church in Shaw -(pictured).
Visitors from one of Newbury’s twin towns - Eeklo, Belgium, have planned a visit to Newbury to co-incide with the event, according to Mr Pick: “They expressly wanted to visit during the heritage weekend,” said Mr Pick.
All visits are free of charge and can be made without booking, excepting visits to the church tower at St Nicolas’ Church, Newbury, which have to be booked in advance at the church office.
One of the 17 properties involved will open on Thursday September 6, three on Friday September 7 and the rest mainly over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday September 8/9.