CHAGFORD'S Church of Saint Michael the Archangel has been reinvested with the spirit of its medieval splendour — and will be open for visitors to view the improvements this Saturday from 2pm to 4.30 pm. The church has been undergoing extensive renovations for the past six months, to transform its dark and cluttered Victorian interior into something resembling the original medieval conception of a light, colourful and spacious building. It is hoped this will sustain the relevance and continuity of the church for parishioners and visitors alike. The building now has state-of-the-art facilities for festivals and exhibitions and is able to house both civic and school events, as well as accommodating the large numbers of walkers, riders and explorers who come to Dartmoor National Park, and seek solace, inspiration and enjoyment in its hallowed space. The rector, Anthony Geering, will welcome visitors to the church this Saturday, and will invite them to share a cup of tea and slice of Simnel cake with him. Saint Michael the Archangel is a 15th century building on an even older Christian site, which has been loved and cherished by successive generations of Chagford's inhabitants.
