ACCESS
People visit St. Mary Magdalene for many different reasons, not least of course to attend church services. During the year we may also have a number of special events, including concerts or exhibitions. Many are drawn solely by the architecture of this Grade 1 listed building. Others, be they Christian, of other faiths, or of none, find within its walls a sanctuary, where they seek somewhere to pray, or simply to think.
This is a building that is primarily a place of Christian worship, so we would ask you to respect that. If your visit coincides with a church service, you are most welcome to look around, either before or after the service. During the service we would love you to join us in our act of worship.
At other times, you may see an individual in prayer as you go round. Please do continue your visit, whilst observing the quiet and privacy that person has sought.
In as far as we are able, our aim is to make the building accessible to as many of our visitors as possible.
This is a building that is primarily a place of Christian worship, so we would ask you to respect that. If your visit coincides with a church service, you are most welcome to look around, either before or after the service. During the service we would love you to join us in our act of worship.
At other times, you may see an individual in prayer as you go round. Please do continue your visit, whilst observing the quiet and privacy that person has sought.
In as far as we are able, our aim is to make the building accessible to as many of our visitors as possible.
OPEN
We will normally open Monday to Saturday between approx. 10am and 3pm
Sunday Open for the regular church services.
Whilst we will try to maintain these hours, inevitably, due to personal circumstances affecting individuals who open or close the building, there may, on rare occasions, be difficulty in doing so. Also there are times, such as funerals or a special event, when it is necessary to keep the building closed, when otherwise it would be open. If you find the church locked we apologise for any inconvenience, and hope you will visit on another occasion.
If you are coming some distance specifically to see the church, it would be advisable to contact one of the churchwardens well in advance of your visit.
We will normally open Monday to Saturday between approx. 10am and 3pm
Sunday Open for the regular church services.
Whilst we will try to maintain these hours, inevitably, due to personal circumstances affecting individuals who open or close the building, there may, on rare occasions, be difficulty in doing so. Also there are times, such as funerals or a special event, when it is necessary to keep the building closed, when otherwise it would be open. If you find the church locked we apologise for any inconvenience, and hope you will visit on another occasion.
If you are coming some distance specifically to see the church, it would be advisable to contact one of the churchwardens well in advance of your visit.
HAZARDS – We regularly assess health and safety issues, but you will appreciate that this is a very old building. As such there are steps, and uneven surfaces throughout, and we would ask you to be conscious of this as you walk around. We will continue to review what improvements we may be able to make. Cost is always a factor, but also we are constrained to a great degree by what changes we can make to a Grade 1 listed building.
DISABILITIES - Those whose mobility is impaired, and those in wheelchairs often attend our services, or other events, but you will find it helpful to be aware of the following information:-
MAIN ENTRANCE to the church is via the porch and South Door.
This is the entrance that is left open when the church is not in use. There are five steps leading into the porch. These have been clearly marked with white paint along the edge of each step. A handrail is provided on either side of these steps.
Steps from the porch into the main body of the church have in the past been covered with a ramp. Please take note of this, as the gradual rise in height can catch some unawares.
ALTERNATIVE ENTRANCE ~ At all our services the West Door, located at the foot of the tower, is left open. The same applies at special events. So if you are in a wheelchair, or may find the steps difficult, please feel free to use this entrance. ( Access is via the choir vestry, but the choir are a friendly bunch, so don't worry about disturbing them.) A low fixed ramp enables entry into the vestry, and we have a low ramp that can be placed to assist access from the vestry into the main part of the church. These are relatively easy to negotiate. Once in the church, there is an area without pews at the west end of the nave, where there is usually plenty of room for a wheelchair. Alternatively you can use a ramp near the font to reach the pews in the aisles or nave.
HARD OF HEARING ~ We have an induction loop system fitted, which operates whenever the PA system is in use. Please turn your hearing aid to the T-position.
MAIN ENTRANCE to the church is via the porch and South Door.
This is the entrance that is left open when the church is not in use. There are five steps leading into the porch. These have been clearly marked with white paint along the edge of each step. A handrail is provided on either side of these steps.
Steps from the porch into the main body of the church have in the past been covered with a ramp. Please take note of this, as the gradual rise in height can catch some unawares.
ALTERNATIVE ENTRANCE ~ At all our services the West Door, located at the foot of the tower, is left open. The same applies at special events. So if you are in a wheelchair, or may find the steps difficult, please feel free to use this entrance. ( Access is via the choir vestry, but the choir are a friendly bunch, so don't worry about disturbing them.) A low fixed ramp enables entry into the vestry, and we have a low ramp that can be placed to assist access from the vestry into the main part of the church. These are relatively easy to negotiate. Once in the church, there is an area without pews at the west end of the nave, where there is usually plenty of room for a wheelchair. Alternatively you can use a ramp near the font to reach the pews in the aisles or nave.
HARD OF HEARING ~ We have an induction loop system fitted, which operates whenever the PA system is in use. Please turn your hearing aid to the T-position.
A HELPING HAND ~ If you expect to arrive on your own at a service or other event, and it is likely you will require assistance, please do contact us in advance, and we will arrange to have someone lend you a hand.
Likewise if you wish to access the church via the West Door at other times, when it would normally be locked, please contact one of the churchwardens, and we will endeavour to make arrangements to assist you. Details for the churchwardens can be found on our CONTACT page.
Likewise if you wish to access the church via the West Door at other times, when it would normally be locked, please contact one of the churchwardens, and we will endeavour to make arrangements to assist you. Details for the churchwardens can be found on our CONTACT page.