| EXPLORE St Leonard’s with the same interactive INTRODUCTORY guide used in the church. |
| COMING SOON |
| LEARN about church & village through a SELECTION of the KEY materials. |
| All onsite materials; selected publications, archives & sources |
| ALL the multi-media CONTEMPORARY materials created by or for Flamstead Heritage |
| reports, learning resources, videos, audio, … |
|
ALL the (re-) discovered, local ARCHIVE materials, now curated, digitised & published.
|
| historical records, photos, books, documents, … |
| PLAN what to see at St Leonard’s: architecture, graffiti, wall paintings & other TREASURES. |
| what to see, travel, local amenities, village map |
| The Flamstead Heritage STORY the teams involved, and our PUBLISHING POLICIES |
| fund raising, roof repair, heritage programme |
| REVISIT the wide range of community heritage ACTIVITIES that took place from 2021 to 2024 |
| talks, drama, family events, competitions, … |
| How to CONTACT us, give FEEDBACK & follow us on SOCIAL MEDIA |
| email & postal address, social media follows |
Flamstead Heritage – the story so far
1. St Leonard’s has been at the centre of the Flamstead community for 900 years. It was built in stages during the mediaeval period, not always with best practice. As a “poor agricultural parish” in past few centuries, there were never enough funds to maintain it.
2. In 2017, our ancient, Grade 1 listed church was threatened with closure. Its heritage, with important mediaeval graffiti and wall paintings, and its roles, both religious and community, were threatened.
3. Death watch beetle and the ravages of time had destroyed the nave roof, with other repairs urgently needed.
4. By 2020 the Flamstead Heritage Project had been created, over £1m raised from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, through other grants, and from local matched funding. Major restoration building works were able to start.
5. Building work continued during the Covid-19 pandemic, . By the end of 2021:
- the nave roof had been restored,
- the south side clerestory windows repaired in stone, and other works completed,
- the wall paintings protected from water damage, and the church saved.
But delivery of the associated heritage programme had to be suspended during the pandemic.
6. Between 2022 and 2024 we have been engaged in delivering an exciting programme of heritage activities, publishing informative materials including newly (re-) discovered archives, and providing explanatory displays within the church, making our heritage accessible to all.
7. Together with other projects that brought the church facilities from the 19th century to the 21st, St Leonard’s has been transformed. Alongside its traditional role, it is now an engaging place to visit and a popular venue for community events. An ongoing maintenance plan means it will be preserved for future generations.
8. St Leonard’s has been rescued, its heritage is being rediscovered, but there is still more to do. This website has more of the story.
News & Blog Posts
Website updated for post-project role
The Flamstead Heritage website has been updated now that the formal National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project has concluded (in October 2024). Content has been updated to reflect the formal end of the project and to look back on it. The website has been...
Festival chair interviewed on local radio
Bill Pither, the chair of the Flamstead Arts Festival committee, was interviewed at length on local radio station Mix 92.6. The interview was broadcast today, May 28th on the Mix Mornings with Elly O‘Meara show, headlined as “Flamstead Arts Festival - what a line...