Case studies
09 Oct 2020
by Barbara English
Eight people standing in front of a church decorated stone carved entrance. Five of those standing wear bright blue fleeces.
Vicar & Volunteers were ready to receive visitors at St Mary's, Beverley. (© Roland Deller)

Why we take part

It has always been a pleasure, helps our Society with the wide publicity, helps our town to know more about its built and historic self, and also introduces Beverley to others who live elsewhere.

What we do for HODs

We start planning in January, and by March 2020 had almost completed the programme, which we run annually in co-operation with Hull Civic Society who produce 10K copies of a printed programme for both towns. In Beverley we had planned to have 41 events, stretching over two weekends.

Adapting for 2020

In March the world changed, and it was clear that many places could not open safely.  We retreated to a plan of one weekend with the emphasis on ‘Hidden Nature’, built around the walled gardens of Beverley which were attached to historic houses.  The gardeners were happy as they had the summer to tend their gardens, many having cancelled their holidays. We recruited 100+ volunteers to manage the flow of visitors by one-way systems, and to take details for track and trace. We made full use of the national HODs directional posters and the distancing tape. We persuaded three sites to go on line.  The programme changed many times, but eventually we had 20 openings, that is 14 gardens mainly in a cluster, the two great churches both of which put on special events for HOD, our Guildhall, our Friary, the Freemasons’ Hall and a medieval inn near Beverley Minster.

A wrought iron gate in a brick wall in a garden, which is overshadowed by a white blooming overgrowing plant.
One of the secret garden gates that opened for HODs this year. (© Rosie Ryan)

Just in time it all came together, not without some sleepless nights.  Then the sun shone, the gardens looked amazing, the people came in thousands, but never in such a way as to overwhelm us, and we were all really, really happy with the results. 

The promotion of the festival locally and nationally generates excitement, interest, awareness and curiosity in our heritage, and it is great to be part of something so big.

Volunteer

2020

Brings some joy and inspiration amidst the gloom contributing to people's wellbeing at a difficult time.

Volunteer

2020

People who might not otherwise experience our heritage on 'normal' days have an encounter with our heritage.

Volunteer

2020

Delighted to spot posters around the town announcing HOD was still going ahead despite the pandemic... many thanks again to HOD for reconnecting us to life before COVID-19, it is really , really appreciated.

Visitor

2020

Every time I come, I find something new.

Visitor

2020

Excellent

Visitor

2020

The difference it's made

We recruited 100s of volunteers to help this year, some were members, some not, and we also gained new members for our Civic Society who said specifically that they came because of HOD.

Barbara's top tip!

Have a go!  Start small and see how it works for you, and the second year will be even better. My analysis is that clusters of events, in time and in place, work best.  London HQ is really helpful with a wide range of advice and material. 

Two women - The left a women in a light pink shirt, shading in an orchard. The women on the right has a short grey bob, green jumper and pink gilet.
Beverley's HODs organisers - Barbara English (R) and new recruit, Rosie Ryan (L) (© George Ryan & Arthur English)

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