This year's Heritage Open Days in the West of England are on Saturday and Sunday 16-17 September. Lots of buildings of historic or architectural interest are open to the public free of charge, and it is the opportunity to see places which are normally private. Of particular interest is the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Hawkesbury, which will be open both days from 14.00 to 18.00. The church is not normally open, so this is your chance to see inside and learn something about its history. I was fortunate last year in being able to go on a tour of a tower, and to climb past the bells up on to the roof of the tower. Other local buildings which may be of interest are the Petty France Hotel and Wickwar Town Hall. The on-line directory of places open is not yet available, but will be found shortly on http://www.civictrust.org.uk/hods/hods.shtml Apologies to listers living overseas, who may be drooling at this point. Bob Lawrence