dear diary ~ a peaceful haven

For anyone that doesn’t know, this week is Heritage Week when many unusual and inaccessible places open their doors to the public for free. Over the years both in England and Scotland we have seen inside some amazing places. We had a look online and decided on a trip over the hill into Greater Manchester to this unusual little corner called Fairfield tucked away in the heart of the busy suburbs of Droylsden. It is almost an echo of a modern day gated community – yet this Moravian Settlement once surrounded by nothing but farmland is now surrounded by a built up area and some rather busy main roads.

The settlement opened in 1785, planned and constructed by a community of people who were part of the congregation of the Moravian Church. This tiny self sufficient and self governed village boasted a shop, bakery, farm, laundry, inn, fire engine and night watchman as well as its own physician and of course the centre piece being the church.

From what I could understand of the talk this Christian body have similarities to the Amish and the Quakers in that this little community value simplicity, hard work and everyone being equal in the sight of God.

Sadly, it is no longer a self contained village and not all of the houses are occupied by people who follow the Moravian Church and its principles, some of the houses have been given over to social housing and one or two sold off, but it still retains a unique atmosphere that is hard to describe, it has to be experienced.

As you enter this little village you pass through some quite impressively large gateposts and immediately feel like you have stepped back in time with the wide cobbled streets lined either side with beautiful Georgian style terrace of houses in soft red hand made bricks. All the houses are immaculately presented with mature trees softening and enclosing the formality of the layout. As we drove through the gates we were immediately enveloped by a sense of peace and tranquility… a similar effect to when we drove through our gates at the beach cottage….a true haven.

We had limited time as there is so much to see both inside the church and museum and outside around the village and grounds, so we will be going back again next year, perhaps on a day when the weather is kinder. Tea, coffee and fruit scones with jam and cream were being served in the community hall and a few stalls of plants and gifts were helping to raise funds for the endless restoration work needed to keep the listed buildings well maintained.

For anyone living near to Manchester this is a must to go and see. It is the largest example of its kind in Britain and the little museum tells the wider story of its development and of days gone by. It will be open again next year to visitors from about May to the end of August, but we were told they will be holding other special events before then.

Do go and see them they will give you such a warm welcome.

It was a lovely day out for us and despite the heavy downpour we came away feeling quite invigorated and are already eagerly awaiting news of their Christmas event dates in November. I expect it will look quite magical dressed up for Christmas and we will look forward to taking the grandchildren with us this time as Father Christmas is expected to make an appearance.

On the way home we called on a friend we have not been able to see all year due to our commitments elsewhere….a double treat…we had a catch up and a natter with a welcome cup of tea.

If you are interested to know more click these links…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfield_Moravian_Church

https://www.facebook.com/FairfieldMoravianChurchAndSettlement/?locale=en_GB

https://manchesterhistory.net/manchester/outside/moravian.html

Back soon x