ONE of the most historic churches in the North West, St Oswald’s Church, Winwick, Warrington, will open its doors to the public to celebrate its Heritage weekend on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September.
Plans are now being finalised for the two day programme which will feature talks by historians and researchers on two of the most tragic events in the history of this iconic building. One is the memorial commemorating the story of the death 200 years ago, of a young heiress which united two of the richest families in the land in common grief.
The other will reveal new research into the Civil War Battle of Winwick 350 years ago, when over a 1.000 Scottish soldiers, supporters of King Charles the first were defeated by Cromwell’s army. The Royalist army defeat led only a few months later to the beheading of the English king.
Photographs of the period, displays of weapons and armour of those times and items found after the battle will be on display at the church. Dr. Andrew Abram, secretary of the Battle of Winwick Society, will be giving an update on research projects in the past year which will include progress on plans to erect a permanent monument on the site of the battle field in Hermitage Green and news on some of the exciting finds from recent searches on the land.
Eileen Monies, volunteer historical researcher, Lyme Park, National Trust, will present a moving talk on the life and death of Ellen Turner a young heiress, whose memorial is in the St Oswald’s Legh family chapel. Ellen was abducted from her boarding school by a fortune hunter when she was only 15 and married illegally at Gretna Green. She later married Thomas, a member of the Legh family, but tragically died only three years later in childbirth. She was only 19-years-old.
The church will be open from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, 12 September. Reverend Martin Fuller will officiate at the opening at 11 am, followed by a talk by Andrew Abram of the Battle of Winwick society. 2 pm talk in the Parish Hall by Eileen Monies, Lyme Park, National Trust.
Sunday 13 September: Church open at 12 noon until 3 pm 1 pm for a battle field walk with society members.
