Heritage Open Days at St Mary’s Convent, Handsworth 2019

​‘A most beautiful place, so unexpected’
‘What a treasure and haven of peace’
‘We really enjoyed the welcome and hearing the history of the Sisters of Mercy’
 

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​These were some of the comments by visitors to St Mary’s Convent, Handsworth over Heritage Open Days/ Birmingham Heritage Week.  Aided by the hospitality of the Sisters at St Mary’s, as well as some very committed volunteers, we were able to open from 10am -4 pm on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st September 2019 for rolling tours throughout the day.  We welcomed 120 visitors during this time, which exceeded previous years by some margin.  What an achievement!

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We saw such a range of people from many age profiles, backgrounds, faiths (and no faith) and localities.  It was really quite inspiring to see so many people of Birmingham and further afield taking such an interest in the convent and in the history of the Sisters of Mercy.  We even managed to order the sun to shine. 
Hopefully some of these visitors will return and will spread the word that St Mary’s Convent is somewhere to think about visiting.  We have set tour dates throughout the year (as per the website) and can often arrange visits outside of those set dates to groups wanting to come.

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Let us see what the Heritage Days for 2020 bring!

 
Jenny Smith
Archivist, Union of the Sisters of Mercy GB