Heritage Open Days Unveiled

Details of the 2003 'Heritage Open Days' were formally unveiled on Tuesday 2 September in a former corset factory in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire.

The magnificently refurbished Grade II* Listed Spirella Building, the former UK headquarters of the former Spirella Corset Company of Great Britain, provided the perfect setting for organisers The Civic Trust, English Heritage and hosts Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation to launch next weekend's national celebration of heritage buildings and spaces.

In welcoming guests at Tuesday's launch event, Heritage Foundation Director General, Stuart Kenny, offered a glimpse of the £60m revitalisation, which the Foundation has spearheaded in the Garden City in recent years. He pointed out over 30 'heritage' buildings in the Garden City alone, which will open their doors to the public on the weekend of 13 and 14 September.

Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: "I am delighted that Heritage Open Days will reveal what lies behind even more of the country's historic doors. Heritage Open Days are a huge success for our heritage and 2003 promises to be the biggest year yet, allowing everyone, wherever they live and whatever their background, to feel a part of the history of their area."

Martin Bacon, Chief Executive of the Civic Trust, said: "Heritage Open Days provide an opportunity to see behind the façades of all sorts of buildings, and find out more about local and national architecture. It's a fantastic event, run by a vast network of volunteers, and this year there are more people and properties participating than ever before. Hundreds of thousands of people will be out and about on Heritage Open Days weekend. It is an excellent way for people who care about their local area to learn something new about their heritage and culture."

After a buffet lunch, attendees were invited to board coaches for a tour of the Garden City, stopping off at the fascinating Cloisters - steeped in history and built in 1906 as a school and theosophical centre; The Settlement - originally Letchworth Garden City's first public house and known as 'the pub with no beer' ; First Garden City Heritage Museum - built as the drawing offices of the town's master planners Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin; and Howgills - designed by Bennett and Bidwell and commissioned by Juliet Reckitt for Letchworth Quakers.

This year a record number of more than 800,000 people are expected to take part in Heritage Open Days nationwide.