Shining a light on the ‘historic heart’ of Fetcham Village, Fetcham Park and St. Mary’s Church joined forces to welcome over 830 people from the local community, and beyond including London and the Philippines, for the annual Heritage Open Day on Saturday 11^th September 2021.

Taking this year’s theme of Edible England, Fetcham Park and St Mary’s Church collaborated with local craft team Grace and Cable to yarn bomb the grounds of the Grade II* listed property built in 1705 with original gardens by celebrated gardener George London.

Colourful, tongue in cheek yarn installations showcased the quality workmanship of the Grace and Cable team and included a knitted afternoon tea and English Breakfast, union jack tablecloths, vibrant hanging fruit, and itsy bitsy bikinis for the fountain’s classical statues. Visitors to neighbouring St. Mary’s discovered traces of the Church’s long historical past, dating back to the 11^th-century, and had the opportunity to meet the Reverend Pouya Heidari.

Copies of local historian Alan Pooley’s walking guide and map to the historical buildings of Fetcham were also available to pick up from both sites.

Reverend Pouya Heidari joined St. Mary’s in May 2021 and, along with his team, has lots of exciting ideas and plans for the community. He says, “It was so lovely to have so many visitors enjoying the Church and grounds on Heritage Open Day. This was a wonderful example of welcoming the people to St Mary’s and Fetcham Park, two special properties in the historic heart of Fetcham.   

“Being new in the post, it gave me the opportunity to meet lots of local families and learn more about how vibrant Fetcham is, and what makes it such a friendly and welcoming community. In the coming months, I hope to have more opportunities to get out and about locally and welcome people to St Mary’s.”

Kate Ainsworth, house manager at Fetcham Park, is delighted to have co-hosted the event with St. Mary’s, she comments, “Heritage Open Day is always a fantastic opportunity for us to open the gates to the public, many of whom are not aware of the House’s landscaped grounds  and interesting, illustrious past. Partnering with Reverend Pouya and his team meant together we could really showcase our little corner of historic Fetcham, as well as the talent and skill of Grace and Cable. It was a real celebration of our community.”

For more information visit Fetcham Park, St. Mary’s Church and Grace and Cable. Or for an email copy of the Walk with notes and plan, email hello@fetchampark.co.uk