The Mayor of Dudley will be visiting the town’s Top Church this weekend as part of the Black Country Festival.

St Thomas & St Luke's will be open to the public on Saturday 9 July for its family event ‘What’s at the top?’.

There will be a chance for people to make a top hat, handle a bird of prey, learn craft skills and find out more about the wonderful history and inspiring stories of the church.

‘What’s at the Top?’ will run from 10.30am to 4pm and everyone is welcome.  A free soup lunch will be available between 1 and 2.30pm so why not go along and share your ideas and thoughts on the future of this the historic building. Councillor Mohammed Hanif, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“I am looking forward to seeing Top Church being used for this community event and learning about its history.

“The church is extremely popular with the local community and I will be interested to see what people have to say.”

Canon Andrew Wickensadded:

“Top Church is one of Dudley town's most beautiful and treasured places. We want to listen to what local people have to say, both about what St Thomas's means for them, and to hear fresh ideas about its future, both as a place of worship and as a community space.

Whether you've been many times or you've never been inside Top Church before, What's at the Top? should prove an inspiring day and we'd love to see you - just pop by”.

‘What’s at the Top?’ is funded by HLF and Top Church has appointed the Churches Conservation Trust (the national charity protecting historic churches at risk) to help run the event.

In June 2016 Top Church was awarded a generous grant of £181,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) Grants for Places of Worship.