How Hitchin town centre's first ever Churchyard Day became a huge hit

By Layth Yousif

22nd Jun 2023 | Local News

Churchyard Day is a huge hit

The popular event held in Hitchin town centre last weekend saw a large number of visitors attend.

A raft of activities were on offer last Saturday - from a Teddy Bears' picnic to a fashion show. People savoured the good weather to stroll around the lanes which surround St Mary's Church's tall hedge with virtually every shop having special offers and enticements.

The famous Hitchin Piano also made an appearance (below).

Nub News attended Churchyard Day last Saturday. PICTURE: The famous Hitchin Piano. CREDIT: Hitchin Nub News

Apart from landmarks like Halsey's which is one of the Hitchin's oldest properties, there are now a multitude of varied independent businesses that took part in Churchyard Day.

Nub News regular columnist A Churchwarden Writes told us: "Other streets in town have their own celebration days, but this was the first time for the traffic free Churchyard.

"I believe the footfall was up for the churchyard, Simmons donated biscuits for the teddy bears' picnic and several others like Groundworks and Cakehole had stalls outside in the lovely weather. Rubarb's fashion show was a success too

"As far as St Mary's we counted 550 visitors through the doors on the day - many went up the tower."

The tower itself was restored after a huge appeal was held in the early 2000s.

Since St Mary's has been rebuilt many times from its foundation by King Offa in 792 AD, it is made of several different materials like brick and flint as well as stone. The oldest pillars visible inside the Church at the base of the Tower are from around the 12th century, but the belfry and other parts like the ramparts at the top came later. The impressive ring of Bells has been described here - with many visitors taking the opportunity on Saturday to see them up close.

"It was particularly nice to guide the tower visits as visitors were very enthusiastic about the views from the top and the experience, despite the 75 steps up," added our regular Nub News weekend columnist.

"Even youngsters were excited to see the town from a new angle and wave at the folk below. The windmills at Biggleswade were clearly visible at least 10 miles away."

The handsome red brick building which contains both the Hitchin Information office and Groundworks café, was once the Vicarage. Railings rather than a hedge once bounded the inner Churchyard with its historic tombs. In medieval times it also served as a market place.