Virtual tour, historical book and interactive screen among plans for 900th birthday celebrations at St Mary’s Church, Whaplode
A virtual tour, interactive screens, artefact mapping and a history book are among the plans being put in place to help a spectacular village church celebrate its 900th birthday in style.
Drones have been flying in and around St Mary’s in Whaplode recently to capture images of the church in preparation for its special anniversary in 2025.
And when complete, visitors will be able to learn all about the place of worship with stunning visual and audio aids.
“At the moment a 360° virtual tour of St Mary’s is being put together,” said Rev Alistair Ward.
“Basically, there have been drone flights above and around the church for the roof and exterior.”
The tour, which is planned to launch later this year, will have 64 stations posted around St Mary’s, each with individual QR codes.
“You’ll follow a map around the church and scan the QR code and it gives you the relevant information and photographs about that particular piece of church and history,” Rev Alistair continued.
Les Dingley of the Whaplode Community History Group has been involved with the project.
“It’s been developed in partnership with South Holland Life Heritage,” he explained.
“There will be points of interest inside and out; the bells, altar, pews, roof, paintings.
“If you scan the code up pops the asset along with an audio of the asset.”
But this is not the only proposal to give the outstanding Norman church a modern twist.
South Holland Life Heritage will also work with the history group to produce a video of the St Mary's bell ringers, while other points of interest will be scanned to produce spectacular 360 degree images.
The font has been completed, the 400-year-old tomb of the influential Irby family is being worked on and it is hoped the 15th century Italian helmet which used to be found in the church, but is now held by Spalding Gentlemen's Society, can be included.
“The next element is scanning the tomb to create a 360 degree image that will be available on site – as in you turn it upside down, round and round and get a different perspective,” Les said.
“The helmet used to sit on a railing until someone came to see it who happened to be a member of HM Armouries in London.
“He said it transpired to be a 15th century Italian sallet, and it’s quite rare.”
Permission has also been granted for an interactive stand alone screen in the church which would enable people to have a view of the church and its history, with hopes village history can also be added. The history group are now looking for grant funding.
Also hotly anticipated will be a book charting the history of St Mary’s.
A 300-page manuscript is ‘virtually finished’ and is expected to be on sale this November.
Co-written by Les and Cyril Hearn, a local historian and former churchwarden, it is packed with information about the church, which had a turbulent relationship with the former abbots of Crowland.
Charting the 900-year span of St Mary’s – believed to have previously been a Saxon site of worship – the tome covers many exciting aspects of life from heraldic crests that were celebrated as stained glass windows and stonework in honour of medieval benefactors, to the ancient artefacts on display and colourful tales of clergy.
Les and Cyril are also planning to produce a book charting the village history next year.
A public meeting to discuss ways to breathe new life into St Mary’s was held at the end of last month.
The Rev Alistair described the event, where villagers and businesses were told about various aspects of church life and how they may be able to contribute, as ‘positive and well attended’.
People keen to offer their services were encouraged to fill in forms and further meetings are being planned.
A version of the 3D tour is currently available online at https://www.heritagesouthholland.co.uk/st-marys-church-whaplode/
Which South Holland landmarks need to be celebrated? Post your comments below or email andrew.brookes@iliffepublishing.co.uk
