RECORDERS

Church Recorders are NADFAS volunteers who make records of the contents and internal fabric of our national churches. These records help to preserve the rich artistic heritage to be found in places of worship of all religions. Items are described in detail and their history researched. All the material is then compiled into a book, illustrated with photographs and drawings. The records are given to the church and copies are sent to national institutions such as the National Monuments Record at English Heritage, The Council for the Care of Churches, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the relevant county record office.

ST. CHRISTOPHER'S CHURCH, HASLEMERE
At the start of 2009, Haslemere DFAS formed a group to record St. Christopher's Church, Haslemere.  This is a listed  Arts and Crafts building with many interesting features and the project will take about two years to complete.

An inaugural meeting was held on 21st January, attended by 15 people, including the Reverend Norman Jones and Roger Allen, NADFAS Area adviser for Church Recording groups.  The group started work in February and continue to meet twice a month (except August).  The contents of the church are being categorised (memorials, silver, woodwork etc.), measured, photographed and described.  All details are compiled according to a standard NADFAS format.

All but one section of the record have been started; 'Memorials' is likely to be the shortest record and Woodwork the longest. Initially everyone worked as a group, to get a feel of the process involved. Now they have split up, with up to three people taking notes for a particular section. The museum, Service records, the internet and faculties held in London and Woking are useful sources of information.  Drawings of certain items are also included in the record where appropriate. Colin Dodge has very kindly supplied a plan of the church.  A professional plan is vital and copies will be inserted into each record, with numbered cross references to all items listed.

Roger Allen has checked work to date and was pleased with progress. He is a helpful source of knowledge and experience and was responsible for organising study days at the Holy Trinity Church in Guildford. Several of the HDFAS church recorders attended and had the oppportunity to meet recorders from other NADFAS societies and learn a lot more about the recording process. We also recruited a new member from Elstead.

At the end of 2009 the recorders celebrated almost a year of work with a very convivial Christmas lunch.

Anyone interested in joining the group or wanting more information, please email us:
enquiries@haslemeredfas.org.uk