West Midlands

Open day at St Thomas More church, Sheldon

St Thomas More RC church, designed 1968-9 by Richard Gilbert Scott and with windows by John Chretien, is holding an open day and beer festival on Saturday 25 April at the church in Horse Shoes Lane, Sheldon, Birmingham, B26 3HU.

The open day part of the programme is designed for C20 members, and there will be a presentation at 1pm by parish priest Father John Peyton, structural engineer and C20 casework committee member Stuart Tappin and architect Andrew Capper.

Andrew Capper is willing to give a tour of the church and a roof visit. There will be a presentation board in the porch to show proposals for restoration work (which is the subject of a Heritage Lottery Fund bid).

As well as the architecture, the church is hosting a real ale, cider and perry festival from 12 noon to 10.30pm, featuring more than 15 beers from Birmingham breweries, five ciders and three perry wines, hot and cold food and other entertainment (including a bouncy castle and face-painting).

Families are welcome. If you’re driving there is ample parking and disabled access. For those using public transport there are plenty of buses from Birmingham city centre, as well as the 900 from Coventry.

Lou Robson