Inspired by the wealth of history, and the stories the church at Brampton Abbotts could tell, local artists Darren Williams and John Sherahilo have brought together a number of local groups, art students and individual artists to produce creative works inspired by the church.

‘Whispering across Centuries’ is an art project focused on St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Brampton Abbotts (a grade II* listed building), one of many jewels in the crown of our local heritage and countryside.

Darren and John believe that ‘whispers’ from the church, with its Norman roots in the 11th century to its current closed status and regeneration project, would surely be enlightening.

Darren, who is a lecturer at the Hereford College of Arts, said: “We were interested in utilising the church and grounds as a focal point for individuals and groups to form responses to; from the figurative to the abstract, the purely aesthetic to the spiritual or political.

“We would like the artistic responses to be entirely at the will of the artist and accommodate any and all styles of work across any media.”

Artist, John added: “The church has survived for a thousand years, it has seen and survived so much, it is worth the recognition it deserves and we should embrace it.”

The purpose of the project is to encourage as many people to the site as possible over a limited period of time in order to create a diverse body of images and objects for exhibition during 2019.

It is proposed that the works will be displayed across Herefordshire, first at St Mary’s Church in Ross-on-Wye before travelling on to Hereford Cathedral and then possibly Ludlow.

A number of local arts groups have already visited the church, both inside and out and more are welcome to produce work in response to the exterior of the building and aspect over the coming months.

If you, or your group, would like to join the Whispering across Centuries project, please email Darren at [email protected]