Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.

Talk by Peter Martindale on the newly discovered wall paintings in St Mary, Alton Barnes, Wiltshire

In the Summer of 2023, during the course of restoring the paintwork on the internal walls of the Church of St Mary Alton Barnes, a remarkable discovery was made.

The Church is very small and of Saxon origin with a simple 2-cell plan of nave and chancel, and is Grade 1 Listed, set in the Pewsey Vale between the Marlborough Downs and Salisbury Plain, it is one of the oldest Churches in England, and has been a place of worship for over a thousand years.

Peter Martindale is a highly respected conservator of wall paintings and decorative polychromy; he is an accredited member of the Institute of Conservation, and a Fellow of the International Institute of Conservation, with over thirty five years’ experience in the field of conservation. His clients include, English Heritage, the National Trust, the Churches Conservation Trust, The Ministry of Defence and many Cathedrals, Abbeys and Churches. Peter will describe how the exciting discovery of medieval, and possibly Saxon wall paintings on the north nave wall came about from the need to address issues and concerns about flaking paint and mould after a recent redecoration in 2018.  Peter will also describe the painted decoration in the chancel, and will look ahead to the further works the Parochial Church Council are wishing to commission.

Location:  Coronation Hall, Alton Barnes, SN8 4LB.

Parking:  There is onsite parking for 25 cars

Date:  20 March 2024

Time: 7.00 pm

Tickets and booking: £12.00. Book online below.

This is not a Wiltshire Museum event. All funds raised from Peter’s talks will directly contribute to the further restoration on the north nave walls and investigation on the south nave walls.

Terms and Conditions
Unless sold out, online bookings will close at 9 am on the day of the event.
Booking for events
Cancellations, Refunds and T&Cs
No responsibility can be accepted by the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (the Society) for accidents or injury sustained during the course of any event arranged by the Society.

  • 20th March 2024
  • 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Book Online
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