At the end of another year, click for:
!!*** Christmas & New Year Greetings ***!
Dorset High Sheriff and Dorset County Chairman visit chapel
Happy New Year
**** Christmas Greetings ****
Father Christmas Appeal
Click here to see 200th Anniversary Celebrations
Click here to see Wessex Morris Men perform at the Chapel
Martin Cooke – TOCT Project Manager 2015 – August 2017
Martin lives in Tolpuddle and is the director of Heritage & Leisure, a consultancy that over the last 11 years has assisted in developing a range of heritage, arts, play and sports projects in Dorset, Devon and Somerset, and in the process raised over £15m. With a specialism in heritage projects Martin has project managed developments at Durlston Castle, Chesil Beach Centre, Swanage Pier and Shire Hall, Dorchester. In Tolpuddle, he project managed the development of Orchard Meadow and a new multimedia trail on the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ story. This work highlighted the importance to him
TOCT at Tolpuddle Festival 2016
At the Tolpuddle Festival in July, the Chapel once again aroused much interest from Festival visitors on Saturday & Sunday. Visitors came from near and far – Dorset, UK, USA, New Zealand and Uganda, including a group from the Radical History School and two groups from the Village History Walk led by Tony Gould.
Click here for an illustrated report.
Overwhelming support for Renovation Project
March 16, 2016
On Friday 4th and Saturday 5th March, TOCT held a public exhibition on the proposals to renovate and extend the Grade II*former Methodist chapel in Tolpuddle.
The exhibition consisted of 14 display panels showing:
- The results of last year’s public consultations.
- The architect’s plans of the exterior and interior of the proposed renovation and extension.
- Artist’s impressions showing the renovated former chapel and its interior.
- An artist’s impression of the interior of the proposed extension.
71 people attended, the majority being village residents.
Each visitor was asked to respond to the statement:
I support the TOCT proposals to:
- Renovate the former chapel
- Preserve this important heritage building
- Provide an extension for vital services
- Provide a venue for activities and events
- Develop new interpretation and a range of heritage related learning projects.
65 people gave a response: 60 strongly agreed with the proposals, 4 agreed with the proposals and 1 was unsure.
Exhibition
March 4, 2016
On 4th and 5th March 2016, the Trust held a Public Exhibition to publicise its proposals for the Chapel. It presented architect plans and artist impressions to demonstrate its proposals. Click the links below to view these documents.
Click here to view exhibition panels
Winter Warmer!
March 4, 2016
To protect the sections of the 198 year old cob walls of the former chapel a ‘weather shield’ has been constructed.
This will prevent damage from the prevailing west wind and rain to the fragile structure.
Martyrs’ Festival 2015
July 30, 2015
TOCT Trustees were on site to greet visitors on Saturday 18th – 12 noon to 4 pm and Sunday 19th – 11am to 5 pm during the Martyrs’ Festival Weekend.
Visitors were able to look into the interior of the former chapel over a half door. They were able to discuss the ‘vision’ of the project with the Trustees.
245 people attended the open days and many took part in our consultation process. 64 people signed up to become ‘Friends of TOCT’. £198 was received as cash donations.
Visitors wrote their comment about the project on cardboard labels which were then displayed on our own replica of ‘The Martyrs’ Tree’:
Some of the comments hung on the tree:
- Splendid to see this symbolic building coming to life again – a splendid community and legacy project. Well done!
- The proposed plans are an exciting and innovative way of bringing this historic building back into productive use. Good luck
- It’s essential this historic building is restored to ensure the spirit of the Tolpuddle Martyrs is continued to inspire others to fight for their freedom and support others
- An excellent project that needs your support. We need to keep the memories alive for future generations.
- It’s great that this lovely old building of such significance is at last to be renovated. Many thanks to all working on the project.
- Amazing project – pleased to see it in good hands
- So glad your story is being told – have walked past this old cob walled building for 15 years … and never knew!!
- Absolutely good news – I am delighted we have it at last – I have prayed for this day
- What a wonderful focus for an important movement! Look forward to returning to support your vision. A place of retreat is welcome in this busy world.
- I look forward to sitting and reading poetry in here.
- Well done for all your hard work, preservation of local history is so vital
- I hope this very worthwhile project prospers
- Hope to see all completed by 2018 – looking forward to it.
- Thank you, so happy this is happening at last
Successful Public Consultation
July 30, 2015
The Public Consultation which was held on Saturday 27th June in the north aisle of St John’s Church was a resounding success.
There was an opportunity to see displays about the project and to see examples of the work of Paul Richold, Director of Architecton of Bristol, our appointed architect.
41 residents of Tolpuddle and Southover attended and expressed their views on the project plans and suggested uses of the renovated former chapel and proposed extension.
The Trustees were heartened by comments such as:
‘Delighted’, ‘Great’, ‘A very good idea’, Brilliant project’, ‘Very thoughtful’.
The majority strongly agreed or agreed with the idea to renovate the building, keeping the internal look and feel of the former chapel simple and in keeping with its heritage. They clearly agreed and understood the need for necessary facilities for its future use to be provided in an extension/additional building subservient in scale to the existing building.
There was also agreement of the building being available as ‘a quiet place’, free of charge during the day, while being available for use for various small group activities in the evenings.
Suggested uses were; a space for small meetings, arts exhibitions, reading groups, small music evenings with provision of refreshments.
35 people signed up to be a ‘Friend’ of TOCT. All ‘Friends’ will receive periodic updates by email about the progress of the project. Everyone who signed up received a TOCT fridge magnet free of charge.
Visitors to the village can now view our new interpretive notice board on site. This gives details of the project as well as links to our web site and to the audiovisual village trail.