A slide presentation about St Mary Mags produced by the Barbara Pym Society, for their August 2020 conference.
St Mary Mags produced by the Barbara Pym Society
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Category Archives: Grand Junction
St Mary Mags Open Day
Come along to the St Mary Mags Community Open Day!
You can access guided tours of the stunning building as well as live music and an art workshop. There will be something for all the family with lots of kids entertainment including face painting and a family explorer trail!
Tours will run every hour 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm led by the architect and vicar.
Free entry with snacks and drinks …
Rowington Close, London, W2 5TF
Saturday 17th November 1pm – 4pm
Tribute to John Julius, Lord Norwich
We are very sad to hear of the death on 1 June of our patron John Julius, Lord Norwich.
Lord Norwich liked to tell the story of first visiting St Mary Magdalene’s Church with the poet Sir John Betjeman in the 1950s, a time when Victorian architecture was under grave threat. Betjeman opined that the church was “a corker”, the architect George Edmund Street at his very best, and must be protected. Lord Norwich duly took up the baton from Sir John. Years later when the St Mary Magdalene appeal was launched to fund the conservation and redevelopment of the church, it was fitting that he became patron. We were hugely honoured to have his support, not least considering his reputation and achievements in the cause of cultural heritage on a much larger European and world stage.
He gave important help to St Mary Magdalene’s at a critical juncture. In 2016 a £3.6m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund hung in the balance, with a deadline looming to show that we could raise enough match funding towards our building works. Lord Norwich led the charge that, in the nick of time, got us over the line, working actively and assiduously to bring in all-important grants and pledges that secured the church’s future. Whatever he promised to John Betjeman, he delivered on his word. We could not thank him enough.
Lord Norwich led a full life, and achieved many things. He was an immensely likable man of warmth and friendliness. It was a privilege to have him with us, and he will be missed and remembered at St Mary Magdalene’s.
Lord Norwich (centre) at the St Mary Magdalene Church ground-breaking ceremony in November 2017.
All Churches New Website
All Churches new website features St Mary Magdalene’s in Paddington
On a cold day in December 2017, Allchurches Trust attended a ground-breaking ceremony that had been 10 years in the planning. St Mary Magdalene’s Church on the edge of the canal at Paddington, between Little Venice on one side and the Warwick Estate on the other and not far from Grenfell Tower, is finally undergoing a major restoration.
Please visit the new All Churches new website to read more and look at the amazing images of St. Mary Magdalene’s Church
St. Mary Magdalene’s Community Open Day
COMMUNITY OPEN DAY
Saturday 11th November, 2-5pm
At St. Mary Magdalene’s School hall, Rowington Close, W2 5TF
Join us for a fun-filled and FREE afternoon for all the family including:
– Make your own tile to go in the new building
– Fun family learning activity from Westminster Adult Education Service
– Take part in creating a large building out of cardboard boxes and more
– Take a tour up the scaffold inside the church and be one of the first to see the amazing stained glass windows up close. Three tours of 20 people will run during the event, so arrive early and sign up to avoid disappointment.
– Meet the architect and project team
– Cake, hot drinks and juice
All activities, food and drink are FREE
For more info contact Lucy on lucy@pdt.org.uk and 07775 901963 or just come along on the day.
Community Projects @ St. Mary Mags
Community Projects
During the period that St. Mary Mags is closed for the conservation and building works, we will be busy running a number of exciting projects working with the community. Many of these projects will include participants creating tiles, textiles, film, audio and artworks that will become permanent features of the new building.
For further information or to register interest in taking part contact Lucy Foster on lucy@pdt.org.uk or 020 3735 5175.
Tile Project
A 6-week project for those living locally to St. Mary Mag’s Church to work with artist Linda Florence to create their own beautiful tiles for the new building. See your work up on the walls once St. Mary Mag’s re-opens in Summer 2018. TILE FLYER PDF TO DOWNLOAD
All will be welcome to an Open Day at the church on 4th November, where there will be the chance to make your own tile.
Area Change Mapping Project
Maria Amidu will work with a group of Year 8 students at Westminster Academy to research the physical changes in the local area over the past 200 years. The class will then explore how this change can be represented in map form. The final design will be manufactured for permanent display in the foyer of the new building.
Oral History Project
An Oral Historian will work with a team of volunteers to interview a diverse range of people representing Paddington’s Living Heritage. These interviews will form the first ever archive of oral histories documenting life in North Paddington.
Textile Project
A group of local women will work with an experienced textile artist to explore different techniques, traditional and contemporary. As part of the project they will produce new textiles for both the church and new building. A partnership with Westminster Adult Education Service.
Film Project with Young People
A group of young people, working with a film maker, will explore historical archive footage and photography of the area and, inspired by this research, create their own films and photographs.
St. Mary Mags School Projects
During the works period we will be working with St. Mary Mag’s School on a number of projects, including tile making, a performance inspired by local oral histories, and a student design group and architecture challenge.
Volunteering
St. Mary Mags will be closed for a year for building works, however there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved! During Summer 2017 we will be building a team of volunteers to support with both the Conservation work inside the church, and our research and oral history project.
Please have a look at the roles below – we think they offer pretty unique opportunities to play a part in uncovering our heritage, gain new skills, meet new people, and be part of putting this amazing building back at the heart of the community!
For more information or a chat get in touch with Lucy Foster on lucy@pdt.org.uk or 020 3735 5175.
CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERING at St Mary Magdalene Church
As part of the Conservation Volunteer team you will:
- – Work as part of a group of volunteers to share a sense of achievement as you bring back to life this extraordinary historic building.
- – Be amongst the first to re-discover its original vibrant colours and fine craftsmanship.
- – Explore a range of conservation tasks, including the opportunity to work on the painted ceiling.
- – Receive training in conservation principles and techniques.
- – Learn about careers in conservation, and the wider heritage and cultural sectors, while also gaining skills and experience transferable to other future employment.
This will suit people who….
Like working as part of a team, but also thrive when working independently. Those who love the challenge of learning new skills and contributing something to their community! Plus those with an interest in historic buildings and their care, or those interested in pursuing a career in conservation. All training is given – no prior experience is necessary.
Time commitment: will vary to suit volunteer needs. Minimum 4 hour session.
CONSERVATION FLYER PDF DOWNLOAD HERE
HERITAGE PIONEERS
Do you enjoy talking to people and hearing their stories? Do you think you could help make community history lively and engaging for visitors?
We are looking for a team of volunteers to help with research and interviewing local people to bring the history of Paddington and St Mary Magdalene’s Church to life.
As a Heritage Pioneer you will:
- – Work as part of a team, and independently, to research the history of the Paddington area, its people, and the church.
- – Learn oral history skills and collect interviews, including recording, documenting and editing.
- – Work alongside the project team and other volunteers to turn research findings into appealing content for themed exhibitions.
- – Receive travel and subsistence for research visits to London Metropolitan Archives.
- – Benefit from training and development opportunities to support you in carrying out the role.
- – Be an ambassador for the Paddington’s Living Heritage at St Mary Magdalene Project.
This role will suit people who….
Have an interest in community history, the history of the church and the heritage of Paddington, and who think they would enjoy using archives for research. Or those with an interest in talking to a diverse range of people about their experiences and collecting their oral histories. Those who would like to learn more about sharing knowledge with visitors in a lively way both online and through exhibitions.
Time commitment: will vary to suit volunteer needs. Anticipate a minimum of a day commitment per month, but this is flexible to fit in with your schedule. Additional time will be required for training.
A JOYFUL OCCASION
Sir Simon Jenkins hosted a reception at St Mary Magdalene’s on 26th June, marking the imminent start of building work on the Project, and celebrating successful fundraising to get us this far.
St Mary Magdalene’s on 26th June
St Mary Magdalene’s on 26th June
St Mary Magdalene’s performance by Westminster Academy
We were delighted to be able to thank some of those who have funded us already and to introduce some new friends to ways in which they can support the Project as we go forward. Sir Simon Jenkins, in his speech, said that St Mary Mags was showing the way in empowering the community to share responsibility for the parish church, which is the community’s building.
Do you want to be a Heritage Pioneer?
Be part of Paddington’s Living Heritage at St Mary Magdalene’s.
Do you enjoy talking to people and hearing their stories? Do you think you could help make community history lively and engaging for visitors?
We are looking for a team of volunteers to help with research and interviewing local people to bring the history of Paddington and St Mary Magdalene’s Church to life.
As a Heritage Pioneer you will:
- Work as part of a team, and independently, to research the history of the Paddington area, its people, and the church.
- Learn oral history skills and collect interviews, including recording, documenting and editing.
- Work alongside the project team and other volunteers to turn research findings into appealing content for themed exhibitions.
- Receive travel and subsistence for research visits to London Metropolitan Archives.
- Benefit from training and development opportunities to support you in carrying out the role.
- Be an ambassador for the Paddington’s Living Heritage at St Mary Magdalene’s Project.
This will suit people who …
Have an interest in community history, the history of the church and the heritage of Paddington, and who think they would enjoy using archives for research. Or those with an interest in talking to a diverse range of people about their experiences and collecting their oral histories. Those who would like to learn more about sharing knowledge with visitors in a lively way both online and through exhibitions.Time commitment: will vary to suit volunteer needs. Anticipate a minimum of a day commitment per month, but this is flexible to fit in with your schedule. Additional time will be required for training.
Minimum 4 hour session.
To find out more and register interest email, ring or text
Lucy Foster at Paddington Development Trust:
lucy@pdt.org.uk | 020 3735 5175 | 07775 901963
You can download the PDF poster here Heritage-Pioneer
TEA AND TALK EVENT – St. Mary Mags Project Find out more about our volunteering opportunities! 14th July 2017, 3-5pm
Conservation Volunteering @ St Mary Mags
Currently on the ‘Buildings at risk’ register, St Mary Magdalene is a beautiful Grade 1 listed church widely recognised as George Edmund Street’s masterpiece in London. A Heritage Lottery Fund grant will now ensure that it can be enjoyed by future generations. Once this work is done the church will also serve as a bustling community and heritage space, but this will not be possible without a team of volunteers to assist the conservators with their work.
As part of the Conservation Volunteer team you will:
- Work as part of a group of volunteers to share a sense of achievement as you bring back to life this extraordinary historic building.
- Be amongst the first to re-discover its original vibrant colours and fine craftsmanship.
- Explore a range of conservation tasks, including the opportunity to work on the painted ceiling.
- Receive training in conservation principles and techniques.
- Learn about careers in conservation, and the wider heritage and cultural sectors, while also gaining skills and experience transferable to other future employment.
This will suit people who…
- Like working as part of a team, but also thrive when working independently.
- Those who love the challenge of learning new skills and contributing something to their community!
- Plus those with an interest in historic buildings and their care, or those interested in pursuing a career in conservation. All training is given – no prior experience is necessary.
Time commitment: will vary to suit volunteer needs.
Minimum 4 hour session.
To find out more and register interest email, ring or text Lucy Foster at Paddington Development Trust: lucy@pdt.org.uk | 020 3735 5175 | 07775 901963
You can download the PDF poster here Volunteering-Conservation
TEA AND TALK EVENT – St. Mary Mags Project Find out more about our volunteering opportunities! 14th July 2017, 3-5pm
TEA AND TALK EVENT – St. Mary Mags Project
TEA AND TALK EVENT – St. Mary Mags Project
Find out more about our volunteering opportunities!
14th July 2017, 3-5pm
At St Mary Magdalene’s, Rowington Close, W2 5TF
From September 2017 we will be looking for the following volunteers:
Conservation volunteers: A rare opportunity to volunteer alongside conservators to restore St Mary Magdalene’s, a beautiful Grade 1 listed church!
Heritage Pioneers: Learn research and oral history skills to bring the history and heritage of Paddington to life as a Heritage Pioneer!
The afternoon will include:
- A talk from the Conservation Architect
- London Metropolitan Archives reveal some North Paddington historical secrets
- Try a hands-on conservation activity
- Find out more about what makes a brilliant oral historian
- PDT Employment Advisor on hand to advise on volunteering to get back to work
- Tea and cake!
If you think one of our volunteering roles could be for you come along to find out more. Plus tea and delicious cakes!
Download the PDF event poster here Tea and Talk Event PDT
More info and to reserve a place: lucy@pdt.org.uk – 020 3735 5175 – 07775 901 963
