Clumber Chapel
TO SEND US YOUR FEATURES IDEAS CLICK HERE AS THE school term comes to an end, families will descend on picturesque Clumber Park for days of fun and relaxation.
But what they may not know is that a free tour of the beautifully gothic Anglo-Catholic chapel in the heart of the National Trust park is available – and proving increasingly popular.
Alwyn Tinsley, 77, a volunteer chapel steward who has been leading tours around the chapel for four years, says many local people are intrigued to find out more about the fascinating building.
"I have been researching all aspects of the chapel for years. There is lots of local interest in it and we get a lot of people asking questions as we go round," said Mr Tinsley.
The chapel was built in 1886 for the 7th Duke of Newcastle, at a cost of 30,000, and visitors get a detailed guided tour of the many fascinating aspects of its architecture and history.
People love the intricate wood carvings inside the church almost as much as the stone carvings on the exterior, and are fascinated by the array of religious artefacts.
Intrigued culture-lovers are escorted to the four separate parts of the chapel - the chancel, vestry, sanctuary and the lady chapel.
One of the highlights of the tour is the chapel's organ, which has 2,180 pipes and stretches along the entire wall of the sanctuary.
Colourful stained-glass windows covered with intricate illustrations of biblical characters let multi-coloured shafts of light shine into the grand chapel.
Unusual characteristics of the building, including pillars made from fossilised coral and Latin inscriptions in the ceiling, make this tour – which lasts around an hour – a must-see this summer.
One participant said she was pleasantly surprised by how much history was present in the chapel.
"I was quite amazed really, it was all so interesting. It was also so lovely to be taken around by someone who can answer all your questions - I think I may even come again," said Enid Johnson, from Edwinstowe.
Tours run every month at 2pm, and the next ones are planned for Thursday, 9th August and Saturday, 11th August.
No more than 25 people are allowed on the tour at one time.
People can call the Clumber Park office on 01909 476592 to add their name to the list.
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Weather for Worksop
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
