St Mary’s Church, Wirksworth’s Website: http://www.wirksworthteamministry.co.uk/

St Mary’s Church, Wirksworth; 1st July – 8th July 2015. Capacity: 10 campers. St. Mary's Church, Wirksworth, is a large, parish church situated in the centre of Wirksworth, Derbyshire. It is a Grade I listed building dating mostly from the 13th century, but with notable survivals from the Anglo-Saxon period. It was restored in 1870 by Sir Gilbert Scott. St. Mary’s Church, Wirksworth hosted its first CSV Heritage Camp in 2004, and after a break last year, we are pleased to welcome it back on to our summer programme this year.

• The local area Wirksworth is a market town in Derbyshire, England, with a population of over 5,000. It is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 and within it, is the source of the River Ecclesbourne. Wirksworth is one of the oldest towns in this area of the Peak District and is still one of those with greatest character.

Centred around its marketplace, where markets have been held since Edward I granted the right in 1306, it has many fine old buildings with picturesque alleys and craftsmen’s yards. The reason for the splendour of many of the buildings is Wirksworth’s historical trade – it was the southern centre of the Derbyshire lead industry and the Soke and Wapentake of Wirksworth, as it was called, was one of the most productive mining areas.

• What is involved on the St Mary’s Church, Wirksworth Camp? Volunteers will be involved in a variety of jobs including varnishing, painting, cleaning and general maintenance work around an ancient parish church and its surrounding historic churchyard. Set in beautiful Derbyshire countryside, St Mary’s is the perfect location if this is your first Heritage Camp. Our latest project is to provide a wildflower meadow in the churchyard as we seek to encourage “ownership” of the church by the wider community.

• What is the accommodation like? Campers will be staying in a local scout headquarters just five minutes’ walk away from the church. With a decent kitchen and basic but comfortable accommodation, the Scout HQ has its own barbecue area and is adjacent to open fields. This will be ‘in-door camping’ so campers will need to bring their own sleeping bag and roll mat.

• Directions St Mary’s Church, Parish Rooms, St Marys Gate, Wirksworth, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 4DQ. Wirksworth is accessible by bus from Derby and Matlock. The 6.1 bus from Derby Bus Station is an hours’ ride from Derby. Our nearest railways station is at Matlock with a bus service on the Number 17 bus. The town is not far from the M1 for car drivers, and there is parking at the Rectory which is adjacent to the church.