David Patrick and I also delivered new interpretation
for St Michael’s Church in Houghton le Spring, County Durham, in 2009. This followed from the interpretation strategy we developed for the site in 2007.
This active, working church is looking to increase physical and intellectual
access for the congregation and community, including engaging new displays,
local history resources and new spaces for activities and events.
The challenge was to create moveable interpretive installations that would
complement the new internal reordering and help to explain the archaeology
discovered during the restoration. We achieved this using sturdy panels on
discreet metal bases, along with wheeled display units in light oak to match the new pews. We also created temporary foamboard panels for the mezzanine area and an engaging trail for families around the building. This comprises a quiz and the opportunity to design a stained glass window to colour in at home.
Design colleague David Patrick and I completed new displays at the historic Priory Church at St Bees in
west Cumbria in 2010 for St Bees History Group and Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd. The church and village
have a rich history to celebrate.
This is an active, working church at the heart of a small, coastal community.
The new displays will help visitors discover the history of the building and
medieval priory site, as well as the village and heritage coastline, and will reveal
the legend of St Bega, the young Irish girl after whom the village is named.
We worked closely with St Bees History Group members to draw together
and present the stories of church and village in ways that are sensitive to the
historic building and do not intrude on its tranquil interior. The displays are
designed to be easily moved, with minimal impact on the historic fabric, as well
as to hold engaging graphics and the supporting library of material that the Group
has drawn together over the years. They also complement the display of artefacts
associated with the astonishingly well-
‘It has been a pleasure working with you. The quality of your work is evident
throughout.’
Dr Ian McAndrew, St Bees Heritage Group