Two of Whitchurch’s well-known tourist spots have joined forces to celebrate a new exhibition in the town.

Whitchurch Heritage Centre, with cabinet draws and shelves bought through monies received from an Arts Council grant, are showing off silver ornaments, including plates and jugs, owned by St Alkmund’s Church.

The silver items ­– normally kept in a bank vault – were gifts to the church, with most dating back to the 18th century.

Staff and volunteers at the centre, in St Mary’s Street, admitted their pride at being able to show something that means so much to the town.

Museum curator Judith Hoyle said: “The volunteers at Whitchurch Museum and Archives have now spent their £38,000 ‘Ready to Borrow Grant’ awarded by the Arts Council.

“As per the terms of the grant, the money has been spent on creating a venue that meets the national criteria for loaning items from National Museums.

“Therefore two new doors, an extra CCTV camera and a display case with shelves and illuminated drawers have been purchased.

“It seemed appropriate for the first exhibition in our new cabinets to be of something of local importance.

“St Alkmund’s Church silver is an exceptionally fine collection of the work of 18th century members of the London Goldsmith’s Company. These items are normally kept in a bank vault and it is a unique opportunity for the public to view silverware donated to and bought by their local parish church.”

Items included in the new Heritage Centre exhibition are a pair of George I flagons made by David Willaume of London, c1714 with domed lids and branched scroll handles; a George I communion cup/chalice and matching paten made by Wilaume of London, also c1714 with a knotted stem and inverted base; and a William III circular alms dish by Jospeh Ward of London, c1700 which is engraved ‘gift of the Wid. of Alex Duncombe Esq to the Church of Whitchurch, Shropshire’.

Reverend Judy Hunt, from St Alkmund’s, is delighted the silver has been put on display by the Heritage Centre.

She said: “The rebuilding of St Alkmund’s Church between 1711 and 1713 was clearly a significant event in the life of this town. All of us who live here are aware of the building – and perhaps especially its tower and its beautiful and spacious interior.

“People are likely to be less familiar with other gifts made to the church at this time: various items of 18th century silver.

“These are not in ‘day to day’ or ‘week to week’ use and so are usually hidden from view in a bank vault.

“The rector and parochial church council of St Alkmund’s are delighted that the Heritage Centre staff have worked to enable a display of these items. Some of them were purchased from funds raised by the people of Whitchurch and others were donated by local dignitaries of that era.”

n The exhibition is expected to run until the summer.