Everyone is welcome at The Friends
Annual General
Meeting, held in June.
*** Watch this space ***
Three other watercolour paintings of the church by the late John Seabrook, are available as limited edition prints.
Click here for details.
Change of name
Following discussions between the Friends of St John-at-Hackney Churchyard Gardens and Hackney Historic Buildings Trust a new Friends Group has been established for those interested in both Gardens and Tower. The new name for the joint friends group is Friends of Hackney Tower and Churchyard. To become a Friend contact the Membership Secretary by email.
The group will be looking for local volunteers to help with
open
days. If
you would like to become involved please contact Laurie Elks by email.
<<< Watercolour by John Seabrook 1913-2001
(in the collection of the Revd Sally Theakston)
The Friends of St John-at-Hackney Churchyard Gardens is an active group of members with a keen interest in the future of the Churchyard Gardens.
The Friends name has recently been changed. (see below left)
St John-at-Hackney Churchyard has survived as an open space
since medieval
times and witnessed many layers of history. Today, the four and a
quarter
acres of trees, gardens and historic memorials are a green oasis in the
heart of Hackney.
Joshua
Watson is one of many important historical figures buried here.
To read about him, click here.
After years of vandalism and neglect the Churchyard Gardens have now been awarded an estimated £2.5million from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the regeneration and conservation of these historic gardens. Work on the restoration started in February 2006 and is ongoing. Old and damaged trees have been removed or pruned. Some trees considered by the planners to be unsuitable to their surroundings, have also been removed. This has caused some local protest, but it has to be said that there is considerably more light as a result and wider views. That was before the remaining horse chesnut trees came into leaf!
The Friends Group was founded in 2002 to raise awareness of
the historic
importance of the Churchyard Gardens and to represent the local
community
in the management and use of the Gardens.
- have representation on the management structure for the
conservation plan;
- conserve the churchyard as a collection of quiet spaces,
including open
meadow, walled garden, formal memorial gardens and play area;
- make the
gardens safe for all;
- encourage more activities in the Churchyard.
Whereas the churchyard and buildings are owned by the Church of England and its representative, the present Rector of St John-at-Hackney Church, the maintenance and care of the gardens are the responsibility of the London Borough of Hackney.
Prior to the restoration work, the driveways and area in the immediate vicinity of the Church had become a hideous mess of uncontrolled unofficial car parking and a place for abandoned vehicles. We are pleased to announce that restricted, pay-and-display parking came into effect on 1 May 2007. The revenue from this scheme will be shared between the Church and the Borough. Reserved free parking is available for bona fide church users.St Augustine's Tower
The Tower, situated in St John-at-Hackney Churchyard Gardens, is
Hackney's
oldest building and listed Grade 1. Dating back to the 13th century, St
Augustine's Tower is all that remains of the original medieval parish
church,
which was demolished in the late eighteenth century to build a larger
church.
The tower survived as there were insufficient funds at the time to add
a bell tower to the new church.
Hackney Historic Buildings Trust (HHBT) has had responsibility for the Tower since 1990 and has raised funding to make urgent repairs. The Trust keeps the unique early seventeenth century turret clock in working order and opens the Tower regularly to the public. During recent years artists have used the building for exhibitions.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awarded £231,000 to help preserve this important but neglected building. Hence, improvements at St Augustine's Tower - including physical repairs to the stonework, improved lighting and glazing, and flat level access to the ground floor - have recently been carried out. The tower now opens to the public more frequently than in previous years with:
- new informative exhibition panels and a small artefact display
- two touch screen terminals using virtual reality to show the tower in its original setting
- a range of leaflets and education packs
- access to the roof