Booking details: Free event, open to all (pre-booking required)

www.squaremilechurches.co.uk/wren-300

Master Carver, Alan Lamb, will be giving a fascinating insight into wood anatomy using microscopy techniques. He will demonstrate how surface staining and historic layers can be detected and inform appropriate conservation cleaning and treatment of historic timber.

Visitors can also see conservation in action. Oscar Whapham, an apprentice carver from W Thomas Restorations Ltd and expert carver from Swan Farm Studios will be carrying out carving repairs to the historic fretwork panels. Cliveden Conservation will also be continuing with their cleaning trials to the famous wood reredos.

Conservators will be on hand throughout the day to talk to visitors about the work taking place.

Talks by Alan Lamb 10.30am and 1.30pm

Booking details: Free event, open to all (pre-booking required) www.squaremilechurches.co.uk/wren-300

A unique opportunity to see today’s woodcarvers in action at St Mary Abchurch, home to a magnificent altar screen by Grinling Gibbons (1648-1721) Britain’s most renowned Master woodcarver and sculptor.

Visitors can discover the incredible array of woodcarving and the painted dome ceiling inside the church, explained by conservation experts.

As visitors move through the church, they will see Oscar Whapham, an apprentice carver from W Thomas Restorations Ltd and expert carver from Swan Farm Studios carrying out carving repairs to the historic fretwork panels. Oscar has been involved in several high-profile carving projects including the chandeliers for the King’s Drawing Room at Kensington Palace.

Visitors will also see Cliveden Conservation in action as they continue with their cleaning trials to the famous wood reredos.

This all-encompassing experience will provide a fascinating insight into architectural gems inside St Mary Abchurch, one of Wren’s more hidden masterpieces and explain more about how these treasures will be safeguarded for years to come.

Conservators will be on hand throughout the day to talk to visitors about the work taking place.

Booking details: Free event, open to all (pre-booking required) www.squaremilechurches.co.uk/wren-300

A chance to discover the magnificent array of woodcarvings, including Grinling Gibbons remarkable altar screen, inside one of Wren’s more hidden masterpieces, St Mary Abchurch, situated just off Cannon Street.

This all-encompassing experience day includes expert commentary from the world of timber conservation, conservation in action and a unique opportunity to see ecclesiastical wood carving in person.

Throughout the day a professional carver from Swan Farm Studios will be carrying out carving repairs to the historic fretwork panels from the church. Visitors will also get the opportunity to talk to wood conservators as they undertake cleaning trials to inform future work on the famous wood reredos.

If you fancy trying your hand at being a stone mason, don’t miss this interactive experience day. There will be opportunities to ‘have a go’ at letter cutting, marking in stone, and lime pointing. You will also learn all about mortar repairs, indent repairs, repointing, mortar and stone analysis.

• 10-11am: Learn about the basics of stone conservation from expert stonemasons
• 30pm: Pointing of indent demonstration. Audience can ‘have a go’ at pointing
• 20 min Letter Cutting sessions at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

Suitable for students, adults and children aged 11 and over (must be accompanied by an adult).

Booking details

Free event (pre-booking required)

How will Wren’s finest historic stone architecture and carvings be preserved for years to come? Discover more at the first of our series of interactive workshops. See the Cliveden Conservation experts in action with their partners Restorative Techniques and Terra Measurements, as they carry out stone cleaning at St Bride’s using both traditional and advanced technology.

Members of the public, students, conservation professionals welcome.

10am and 2pm: Live demonstrations of laser and ThermaTech® stone cleaning

1pm: Stonemason Amelia talks about stone mortar repair, repointing and material analysis

Booking details

Free event, open to all (pre-booking required)

Three networking events will bring together church asset managers, conservation specialists and researchers to review tools and techniques for managing heritage church assets.

The first event will focus on identifying the needs for managing assets and good working practices.

The second event will provide an overview of available digital technology and the forefront of research to highlight opportunities for enhancing current working practices.

The final event of the series will outline the guidance needed to improve skills and working practices to help asset managers increase efficiency and reduce costs.

This project forms part of the Wren300 Square Mile Churches programme which is being undertaken by the London Diocesan Fund and partly funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.