Charles Guard leads tours of St Thomas' Church for the Heritage Open Days

Charles Guard leads tours of St Thomas' Church for the Heritage Open Days

Tue, 30 Sep 2014

Charles with the hidden machinery in St Thomas' Church

As part of the annual Heritage Open Days there will be a unique opportunity to explore some of the hidden parts of St Thomas' church in Douglas.

Culture Vannin's Charles Guard will be guiding people through the turbulent early history of St Thomas' (including riots and bricks thrown through Bishopscourt windows) and on to the calmer times when the extraordinary murals were designed and painted by John Miller Nicholson.

The highlight of the visit will be a look at the magnificent pipe organ, the Island's most impressive instrument, and an opportunity to go under the church and see the rare pumping system, run from one of the old Douglas reservoirs, that provided the wind for the organ.

There will also be a short video presentation of the unusual bell ringing system in the tower and archive footage of the clock winding which has now been automated.

Each tour lasts just under an hour and some parts of the cellars are a bit dusty - so come prepared!

For details of the times and to book for the tour go to the website:

heritageopendays@gov.im or ring 648065.