Bolton-le-Sands Heritage Day 2026
A day of discovery as we opened the doors of Bolton-le-Sands’ oldest building. From Anglo-Saxon carvings to Victorian restorations, Holy Trinity told the story of our parish over the last millennium.
We had lots of activities and displays. From 10-12 the church bells were rung.we had Bell Ringing: A demonstration of the church bells, including the 15th-century bell cast in Nottingham.
There were lots of displays including a walk-through of the architectural phases, from the 15th-century tower to the 19th-century nave. This included a “hairy” climb up the spiral staircase to the top of the bell tower.
There was a presentation on the 10th-century Anglo-Saxon and Viking stone fragments kept by the baptismal font. People came from a distance to view these.
There were exhibition of parish records, historical copies of the church magazine “Messenger”. The official wedding registers going back many decades were available to look up their wedding details. There was a and historical photographs. Children’s “Heritage Hunter” cavenger hunt. Keith Budden kindly brought a selection from his enormous Postcard Presentation and of course refreshments were served during the day. Glinys and David put on an excellent display of icons and were able to explain the significance of the iconography.
We were very fortunate to Margaret and Becky who had a brilliant display of historical documents and materials with a focus on St Marks in Nether Kellet
While the current building has 15th-century elements, the site is much older. There are Anglo-Saxon fragments: the 10th-century carved stones—remnants of a high preaching cross that stood here before the Norman conquest. Viking-age burial stones on display in the tower area highlight the Norse-Gaelic heritage of the Lune Valley.
People were able to identify the medieval fabric. The West Tower: Dating from the late 1400s, constructed in ashlar sandstone with beautiful diagonal buttresses. The North Arcade: Five bays with octagonal piers that survived the later reconstructions.
There are a number of curiosities and memorials. The “100-Year-Old” Man: In the north aisle A memorial to Mr. Robert Cole (d. 1642), who was famously “supposed to have lived over 100 years.” The church was originally dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. The west tower window (installed 1891) depicting an angel defeating a dragon—a nod to this original dedication. In 1326 (exactly 700 years before this heritage year!), the vicar was granted seven acres of land and the profits from local honey production as part of his “living. Civil War Drama: In 1649, the vicar Henry Compton was imprisoned in the Tower of London for his loyalties during the English Civil War.
Many of these exhibits are still to be seen in the church. Bolton-le-Sands is very fortunate to have such a rich heritage.
