LOCAL gardening celebrity Alan Titchmarsh was at the Church of the Holy Rood, Holybourne, last week to launch a major fundraising event on behalf of the Church Walls Appeal. Mr Titchmarsh, a resident of the village, will be taking on the role of auctioneer for an auction of gifts and promises, to be held on the evening of Thursday, May 5, at at Bonhams Farm Barn, courtesy of Cherida and Michael Cannon. Mr Titchmarsh has joined Rev James Croft is seeking donations in the form of "a promise that you are able to donate to the catalogue" from local residents, businesses, organisations and all "who know and love Holybourne Church as such an important part of the architectural heritage of our village". Promises can be anything from ironing to loaning out a holiday home. They could take the form of a skill or talent that might be appreciated by others or a hobby that the donor would like to share. Or they could be used to promote a business or have connections with an interesting organisation. The hope is that they will help to raise the £90,000 needed for a maintenance programme which includes the urgent rendering of the church walls. According to the vicar, there has been a church on the site in Holybourne for more than 1,000 years and its altar is said to have been placed over the spring that feeds the Church Pond. "Certainly the problems we have faced with damp in the east wall behind the altar would testify to there being plenty of water close by," he said. The church is a listed building, and its lychgate a listed structure, which brings extra responsibility and cost. The walls of the church are made of a mixture of aggregate and malmstone. "This stone is soft and we have a serious problem with erosion, especially when heavy rain is followed by a sharp frost. The Victorian north wall is particularly susceptible as it is wholly faced with malmstone and our plan is to lime render this wall, just as we have lime rendered the east wall. However, funds currently available fall short of what is required." Fundraising efforts are focused on keeping the church fabric in an acceptable condition. During the last 20 years the aisle has been re- roofed, the organ restored, the spire re- nailed, the clock overhauled and the north boundary wall repaired. "This has been a heavy burden for a small village," said Rev Croft. Last year the first phase of the walls restoration (east wall) was completed at a cost of £13,000. So far this year, £2,000 has been spent to replace the water supply pipe and pay for the extra water used due to a leak. In seeking support for the coming auction of gifts and promises, Rev Croft made the following plea. "The Church of the Holy Rood is the most important part of the architectural heritage of Holybourne. It is there for the whole community, Christians and non- Christians alike, to use and enjoy. "While every effort is made to secure grant funding from a variety of agencies, like so many other village churches we rely upon voluntary financial support and fundraising events." Anyone able to donate gifts or promises is invited to contact church social secretary, Anne O'Neil on 01420 544337. Mrs O'Neil is hoping to prepare the catalogue for printing before the end of March. Tickets and catalogues will be available by the beginning of April, price £5, to include a buffet supper and an evening of entertainment by Alan Titchmarsh.
