And here’s what the sanctuary kneeler is:

The red arrow shows the sanctuary kneeler; it’s the piece of carpet that runs along the bottom of the rail, though the new one will be padded with durable foam. The sanctuary is the space within the rails, containing the altar, so it’s a very important part of the chapel.

Are you…

19 or under on 31 August 2024?

If not, we’re really sorry, but you have to be 19 or under to be able to enter the competition.

Do you…

Live in, or study full time in, the CV34 postal area, or have you done so at any time between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024?

If not, again, we’re sorry, but the competition is only open to students who live or study in the CV34 area, or who have done so between those dates.

I’m in! Tell me more!

We’ll choose a winner from each age group. These groups are:

• under 12 on 31 August 2024
• between 12 and 16 on 31 August 2024
• over 16 on 31 August 2024

If you win your age group, you’ll win £50.

If you are the overall winner, you’ll win £200 (this includes the prize for winning the age group).

If your entry is Highly Commended, you’ll win £20.

School, class or group entries are accepted (prize winnings will be given to the school).

We reserve the right not to have an overall winner, or, if there is one, to modify their design prior to manufacture of the kneeler. The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges, whose decision is final.

Before we go on, tell me about the Beauchamp chapel.

It’s a very special place. It was built in about 1450 to house the tomb of Richard Beauchamp. He was earl of Warwick, very rich, and wanted only the best. It has in it some of the finest art of the time. Imagine, your sanctuary kneeler could be part of that!

… and also

The sanctuary kneeler will be put in the Beauchamp chapel in 2025. That’s an important date, because that’s 550 years after the chapel was finished, and we’re planning lots of celebration. Your kneeler could be the centrepiece!

We want to make you proud! Your design could be in the Beauchamp chapel for years to come, seen by visitors from all over the world. The best designs will be displayed in a special show at St. Mary's, and there will be a prize giving that the winners will be invited to attend.

What does the design have to look like?

That’s entirely up to you. All we ask is that your design is inspired by the Beauchamp chapel, or something in it.

What will the new kneeler look like?

It will be made as a single piece, 420 cm long, 40 cm wide, and 12 cm deep. We will decide what materials it will be made in, but it is likely to be wool thread woven on to canvas.

What do I have to do?

Paint your design on paper that is half scale, with the part that will cover the depth added to all sides. In other words, your paper will have to be 222 cm long and 32 cm wide, including a 6 cm margin all the way around, showing the depth. You can stick smaller sheets of paper together, and cut them, to get the right size. You then need to mount the whole thing on card or some other sturdy material.

You can, if you like, tell us that parts of your design are intended to be woven with shots of silk or silver or gold thread.

You can repeat a pattern within the design, but your entry must be to the required size.

How can I find out more about the Beauchamp chapel?

The best thing to do is come and see it for yourself!

Please check our opening times first if you are making a special visit. We are sometimes closed for weddings and other services.

• You don’t need to let us know that you are coming.
• You can come as many times as you like.
• You can take photos (no flash please), or sit and make notes or sketch if you want to.
• You can ask our guides or visitor team members about the history of the chapel, but, sorry, you can’t discuss the competition with them.

Our website page www.faireandgoodlybuilt.org.uk has a gallery that includes images of the Beauchamp chapel. Also, our Facebook page St. Mary's Warwick – church of treasures and our Instagram feed @churchoftreasures often have posts about the Beauchamp chapel. There’s much more available on the internet.

You can also look at our book on the history of St. Mary's, Faire and Goodly Built. Chapter 6 is about the Beauchamp chapel. There are several copies in Warwickshire County Council libraries, but you might have to reserve one. Or perhaps someone will buy a copy for you – it’s on sale at St. Mary's.

How do I enter?

IT’S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET THIS BIT RIGHT!

Bring your entry to St. Mary's Church, Old Square, Warwick, in person, during visitor opening hours, and hand it in at the front desk (or ask somebody to do it for you).

Don’t post your entry, or leave it at the church other than handing it to someone at the front desk, otherwise it might get lost.

Make sure that you clearly print your name and date of birth on the back of your entry. We need to know who’s won!

As well as your design, you have to give us at the same time two other things:

• your completed and signed entry form and
• a statement of no more than 150 words explaining the ideas behind your design, and what has inspired you. Don’t forget to put your name and date of birth on this as well.

We will be receiving entries from 11 am on 1 July 2024 until 4 pm on 31 August 2024. Any entry received after 4 pm on 31 August 2024 will, unfortunately, not be accepted, nor will any incomplete entry.

Where do I get the entry form from?

You can download it from HERE and from HERE for school and group entries. You can also download a pdf copy of this information HERE.

What else do I need to know?

The entry form gets a bit technical, and it might be tricky to get your head around it. Please ask someone to explain it if you need to.

Any questions?

You can email us at competition@bckneeler.org.uk if you have any questions about the rules of the competition or the competition requirements. If you want to know more about the Beauchamp chapel, please see above: we cannot answer emails about it. Neither can we discuss your design ideas with you.

We hope that you enjoy making your design, and good luck!