Heritage Report

All Saints’ history, art and architecture and its digital burial ground featured in two talks and church tours for the Thelwall History Group in February, June and July 2025. Linda Bellars, Mike Horne and Mike and Maggie Taylor were glad to share their research and experience. It is hoped to arrange another tour of the church and churchyard for all comers later this year.

All Saints has played a key role in the three years of the Thelwall 1100 Project, helping us publicise events through All Saints’ News and the pew sheet and acknowledging our needs in the various prayer projects. The support of members with catering and service at the Thank You Tea for T1100 volunteers at Laskey Farm in September 2025 and catering for the closing celebrations in October has been greatly appreciated. So too has the support of the Chair of Thelwall Parish Hall Committee, Philip Young, in finally securing a safe and appropriate site for the T1100 Commemorative Stone and time capsule. This will be maintained by Thelwall Guides.

All Saints’ Church was the first of five Thelwall sites to install their blue heritage plaque (on the railings beside the lychgate.) This was one of the Thelwall 1100 legacy projects which has seen our local history and heritage made more visible and better explained through publications, walking trails and new heritage signage.

During the year we had an approach from the South Trafford Archaeology Group to try and find evidence of King Edward the Elder’s ‘burh’ or ‘cyty’. STAG identified a couple of sites behind Baden Lodge/the Parish Hall and on Chaigeley land. Permissions have been granted for exploratory excavations now planned for the end of April/May. About 20 volunteers have come forward to take part in this community dig.

I am so very grateful for all the help, prayers and practical support you have shown for the Thelwall 1100 Project. All Saints as an institution and as a community has been key to its success.