HISTORICAL items were on display in the Church and Chapel in Mickleton as the village opened its doors for the latest Community Archive event.

A steady stream of visitors enjoyed sunny weather as they walked round the village to visit both venues on March 22 and viewed an array of historical and up-to-date items.

Mickleton Methodist Chapel displayed past records of births and baptisms along with past and present wedding photographs, old Bibles, records of the history of both the Community and Fellowships work at home and photographs of the Scouts and Cubs events.

St Lawrence Church began the day with a peal of bells by local bell ringers and an organ recital before Church Wardens and Parochial Church Council members explained the building's features.

Mickleton received a £40,100 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to create the archive which will take shape through a series of monthly events with the local community.

Launched in August 2012, the project will create a legacy for future residents by using photos and audio which will end up as an online archive.

Jenny Toates, who attended the event, said: "There was a surprising lot to see and learn about our village and great for the Mickleton Community Archive records, a very good day out locally.

"In the Churchyard were four War graves, three for our own British boys, and one recording the death of a Belgian soldier in 1914.

"There was also the grave of Lawrence Johnson, the creator of Hidcote Gardens, which is just up the hill from the Church."

The next event, a tea dance, is on Sunday, April 27 in the King George’s Hall. For details, call Barry Metcalf on 01386 438065.