Once again, the Retford Civic Society is organising a day where you can visit places of interest and learn more about Retford’s heritage and entertainment on Saturday 8th September. The eleventh annual Retford Victorian-themed Heritage Open Day, has a full programme of events and buildings for you to explore. Heritage Open Day is your once-a-year chance to explore the world on your doorstep, unlocked and completely free of charge — what will you discover?
Explore Retford’s marvellous heritage. Take a backstage tour of the Majestic Theatre and learn about the theatre’s fascinating history, visit the Suffragette exhibition at Bassetlaw museum, take a canal boat trip or ride on board a vintage bus.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert will also be making a visit in their carriage.
The following buildings each with its own activities will be open:
- Grove Street Methodist Church
- Bassetlaw Museum
- St Swithun’s Church
- Denman Library
- St Michael’s Church
- The Masonic Hall
- Retford Town Hall
- Trinity Hospital
- Kings Park
- The Majestic Theatre
The day coincides with the Tour of Britain coming through Retford once again. Meanwhile Queen Victoria and Prince Albert will have arrived by carriage at 10.00am in the Market Square with the Deputy Lord Lieutenant and Chairman of Bassetlaw District Council as well as enjoying all the 13 heritage buildings and sites open to the public for free.
A programme of events is available from the Tourist Information Centre at The Hub, Bassetlaw Museum and Denman Library. A brief overview of events is:
- 10.00am
Quarter Peal of Bells — St Swithun’s Church
Seth Ellis Canal Trips — Town Lock
Parent & Child Craft Class — The Hub
Heritage Bus Tour — Bassetlaw Museum
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert arrive by carriage — Market Square - 11.00am
Seth Ellis Canal Trips — Town Lock
Talk on the Pilgrims and the Mayflower 400 celebrations — The Hub
Heritage Bus Tour — Bassetlaw Museum - 11.15am
The Community Choir will be singing Victorian Music Hall songs — Town Hall - 12.00pm
Little Theatre Youth Group will perform ‘The Gates of Retford’ — Town Hall - 1.00pm
Seth Ellis Canal Trips — Town Lock - 2.00pm
Seth Ellis Canal Trips — Town Lock
Heritage Bus Tour — Bassetlaw Museum
Victorian High Tea & Tasting — The Hub - 2.30pm
Illustrated talk about ‘Victorian Retford’ by Harry Foxley — Denman Library - 3.00pm
Seth Ellis Canal Trips — Town Lock
Heritage Bus Tour — Bassetlaw Museum