Facilities and features
Accessibility
Our modern toilet with wheelchair access was funded by the EU Leader Project.
It is available for public use during the day when the church is open. Donations towards its cleaning and upkeep would be gratefully received.
Baby changing facilities are located in the toilet, accessed off the nave.
Parking is generally available in Flamstead High Street. There is more parking available at the Recreation Ground at the corner of Friendless Lane, on Friendless Lane itself at the Parish Council overflow carpark, and by arrangement, at the Village Hall on Church Road.
It is possible for those needing disabled access or for wedding or funeral cars to park by the War Memorial. Please check with us first.
Our modern toilet with wheelchair access was funded by the EU Leader Project.
It is available for public use during the day when the church is open. Donations towards its cleaning and upkeep would be gratefully received.
We are in the process of installing a ramp for wheelchair access from the Village Hall to our churchyard. This is work carried out with the Parish Council and the Village Hall, kindly funded by the Parish Council.
Our main entrance, via the north porch, has a stepless slope for easy wheelchair or buggy access.
Installed by the Friends of St Leonard's in 2021.
We have a good hearing system and a hearing loop. If in difficulties, please speak to a churchwarden.
Are welcome.
Our Building
St Leonard's is open during most day light hours for prayer.
St Leonard's is a grade 1 listed building. It is one of the top ten buildings in the UK for medieval graffiti.
We were very lucky to receive a grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund to repair our roof in 2020-2021. As a result we have been on an adventure discovering more about our heritage. What we thought we knew may be wrong: find out more of our building's fascinating story here:
https://www.flamsteadheritage.org
Music and Worship
Our thriving and enthusiastic team of bell ringers meet to practice on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm. They ring on Sunday mornings and for weddings and other events.
We are the fortunate hosts of a Steinway Model B piano. It is not ours, but we house it and may use it for concerts. Musicians all agree that our building has a wonderful acoustic.
Buy tickets for our next concert here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/music-at-st-leonards
We have a Hey Orgelbau Pipe Organ, built in 2007 in Urspringen, Germany as a show instrument for church fairs.
It was moved to St. Mary's Church, Malden in Essex in September 2015 and then to Flamstead in July 2019.
It measures 3.45 m high x 1.7m wide x 2.15 m deep (including its bench)
The case work is of fine selected larch and ornaments are of maple and oak. It has a blower and two bellows inside
Disposition:
1. Manual, C - g3
01 Copola 8'
02 Salicional 8'
03 Principal 4'
04 Flote 4'
05 Flautino 2'
06 Mixtur iv 1.1/3'
Pedal, C-f1
07 Subbass 16'
We are restarting our choir, for special occasions only at the moment. If you enjoy singing at whatever level and would like to join, please contact the vicar at [email protected]. No audition needed.
Next choir event: Harvest Festival on 1 October 2023
Groups, Courses and Activities
We welcome and support asylum seekers and refugees.
Saturday mornings: 10.00am.
Join us for coffee, tea, delicious cake and friendship at about 10.45am after our 10.00am communion service on Fridays. It is not compulsory to attend the service!
Computer Friendly meets in St Leonard's Tower Room (the 'St Giles room') on the first Wednesday of each month. Bring your perplexing computer problems: volunteers will try to help solve them.
Our free Book Exchange is also housed in the St Giles Room: books for children and grown ups: to borrow, exchange or just to have. Read here or take away.
Little Leos our baby and toddler group is open to all living or worshipping in Flamstead. 10.00am to 12 noon on Tuesdays, in church.
£2.50 per family. Tea and coffee, squash, snacks, toys, play and friends.
Help for Visitors
Password on request.
Contact the parish administrator on 01525 842525 or [email protected] to arrange a guided tour. Private visits, U3A, ramblers and tour groups are all very welcome. Let us know if you have any particular interest: graffiti, wall paintings, people, social history...
Are available in the Heritage Area in the north aisle. Donations welcome.
From about 10.00am to about 6pm daily, except for services and special events.
Other Features
We have two sizes of modern screen and a projector, kindly funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
Our building is situated in the middle of Flamstead conservation area.
It is possible to hire St Leonard's Church building for appropriate events: eg Christening lunches, music recording, afternoon teas, anniversary dinners etc... (outside caterers needed).
Contact the parish administrator on 01525 842525 or [email protected] for prices and booking.