OUR wonderful county of Devon has around 600 churches of various ages, many filled with fascinating architectural features such as roof bosses, woodcarvings and ancient and modern artefacts.

If you would like to find out more about how to research the history of churches in your area, then why not go along to the Devonshire Association’s “Historic Churches Research Day” at the Devon Rural Archive at Shilstone, near Modbury, on Tuesday, May 9?

Organised in conjunction with the Devonshire Association Buildings Section, the Historic Churches Research Day will run from 10am to 4pm and offers a prestigious line-up of speakers.

Lecturers will include independent archaeologist Dr Stuart Blaylock, Senior Church Buildings Adviser and Exeter Diocesan Advisory Committee Secretary Louise Bartlett, Dr Sue Andrews, Dr Helen Wilson and Dr Bridget Gillard.

The programme will include talks on how to research church buildings; the importance of church research for managing change in historic churches; roof bosses and researching old artefacts of significance; Pinwill woodcarvers and researching "modern" artefacts of significance; and an introduction to determining the significance of historic churches.

“Our Historic Churches Research Day is a great opportunity for all those interested in old churches to discover how to approach their research and how it might be of value to others, as well as to gather valuable insights from those who have already undertaken church research projects,” commented Abi Gray, Resident Archaeologist at the DRA.

Tickets are £22 each to include a buffet lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Booking is essential.

To book, please contact Abi on 01548 830832 or email: [email protected] . For directions and further information please visit the DRA website: www.devonruralarchive.com .

Alan Quick