THE congregation of the Church of the Holy Rood at Holybourne have joined villagers to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the living space project - and to thank the sponsors for their support.

Begun in January, the project has seen toilets and a kitchen built inside the church, the font moved to facilitate easy access for disabled and elderly parishioners, and moveable pews installed.

Costing around £156,000, this phase of the work has been carried out by Robert Croft of Bentley-based building company RA Croft Ltd, specialists in bespoke building projects and renovations.

Speaking at a tea party which welcomed everyone who has supported the project, Reverend Andrew Micklefield, vicar of the Parish of the Resurrection, of which the Church of the Holy Rood is part, expressed deep appreciation to all those who had supported the vision to make the church open for use by the whole community.

He gave thanks in particular to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Historic Churches Trust, The Beatrice Laing Foundation, Hampshire County Council, East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), Alton Town Council, the All Churches Trust, and the Froyle Estate.

In addition, many villagers, friends and families had supported fundraising events organised by the living space project team and Rosemary Arrowmith-Oliver over the last three years.

More recently, the church has received sponsorship in the form of several new oak pews, made by Luke Hughes of London, in memory of loved ones, including the former pupils association of Treloar School and College. Each sponsored pew bears a plaque with the name recorded in perpetuity.

At the tea party were representatives of some of the many donors, including EHDC deputy leader Julie Butler, Alton deputy mayor Allan Chick, architect Nick Cary-Thomas, and villager Anthea Bailey.

John Hubbard, project fundraising co-ordinator, said: “The inside of the church has been transformed by removing the fixed pews and replacing them with beautiful moveable pews in European oak that can be placed in any configuration and easily lifted. The font has been moved to give open access to the church and toilets and a kitchen installed. The space is now suited for many different uses.

“We wanted to make the building suitable for families with young children, the elderly and those with a disability, including students at neighbouring Treloar School and College, and for activities and events supporting the community.”

Rev Micklefield said: “The church has been at the centre of the life of the village of Holybourne since the middle ages and we want that to be so for centuries to come. The new ‘space’ will enhance worship throughout the year and be open for regular community events and one-off activities.”

He paid tribute to the craftsmanship of the teams from RA Croft and Design Heat (Winchester), and to the design concept developed by architect Nick Cary-Thomas.

“We still have work to do such as improving the lighting, but this is a fantastic beginning. We hope that many people will come and visit either in the week or at one of our regular services. There is still the opportunity to sponsor a pew in memory of a loved one and, of course, the church is open for hire for all kinds of community activities.

“We thank everyone, and indeed God, for this wonderful provision.”

A future project will tackle heating and lighting in the historic building which has remained largely unchanged since the 1800s.

nThe church of the Holy Rood has a new pew.

It’s a gift from Treloar Former Pupils Association in memory of the haemophiliac boys, some pupils at the school, who died in the 1970s as a result of receiving transfusions of contaminated blood.

A service of dedication for the new pew - the Association raised £1,300 to buy it - was held on July 28 at the Holybourne church and attended by 70 former Treloar pupils and staff. It was conducted by the Reverend Canon Ed Pruen and the Reverend Canon Roger Royal, both past chaplains at Treloars. Rev Royal also read the lesson while hymn Jerusalem was also sung.

A floral tribute was laid at the altar by Association chairman Tom Yendell and former pupil Adrian Goodyear.