TWO prominent Wharfedale landmarks will be opening their doors to the public as part of the National Heritage weekend on September 10 and 11.

Volunteers at High Royds Memorial Garden in Menston have been busy preparing to take part in the event.

Ans a Guiseley church with historic links to the Brontë family is also getting involved in weekend festivities.

The chapel and garden will be staffed by local volunteers and be open, free of charge, from 10.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm on both days. The weekend will conclude with a Thanksgiving Service at 4pm on the Sunday, to which all are welcome.

In addition to the chapel and the garden, work is being carried out in the adjoining wood which, during the Second World Ward, provided valuable timber to help with the war effort but was then neglected and became a general dumping ground. In addition to selective tree pruning and felling, old and broken-down fencing is being replaced. Steps, which will tone in with the surrounding, are also being constructed to provide easy access from the garden into the wood. The three-acre site will then become a peaceful natural environment, which allows for the wildlife and wild flowers to continue to enhance the neighbourhood in addition to the more formal borders in the garden itself.

Visitors during the weekend can take advantage of free car parking and toilet facilities, courtesy of the Hare & Hounds pub, which is opposite the Memorial Garden and Wood.

Meanwhile, St Oswald's Church will also throw open its doors to visitors.

The church has been at Guiseley's heart for more than 900 years and has witnessed key events in the lives of countless local people. The parents of the world famous Brontë sisters, Patrick and Maria Brontë, were married at St Oswald's in 1812.

Church registers will be on display as part of the open day, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on September 11. The event will also include special activities for children.

Local history experts will lead tours around the church, while the Royal British Legion and historians will be on hand with information about Guiseley’s military history. Homemade afternoon teas will be served by volunteers from the church and the event will be rounded off with a special service of Choral Evensong with the Choir of St Oswald’s Guiseley at 3.30pm, to which everyone is welcome

The Guiseley event is free of charge and booking is not necessary.

A spokesman for the church said: "The organisers are hoping to repeat the success of last year’s event, which attracted a huge number of visitors, many with family links to the church.

"This year’s Heritage Open Days are giving pride of place to Britain’s belfries and thousands of ringers around the country will be sharing their passion with visitors who every year go out to discover the treasures on their doorstep. St Oswald’s ringing room will be open for visits to the bells, while Martin Baker, director of music, will also be on hand to give demonstrations of the church organ."

Loyd Grossman, patron of Heritage Open Days, said: "At a time when many of our heritage sites, museums and buildings of cultural interest are under increasing economic pressure, it’s heart-warming to see the number of Heritage Open Days events continue to grow. Our army of volunteers play an important role in championing our wonderfully diverse local heritage, opening up doors and keeping access free for these very special four days every year. "