Revitalising historic churches

By Victoria Bartlett
BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight

The tower and spire of the Holy Trinity church form a prominent landmark

St Mary's church in Ashley and Holy Trinity church in Privett are both at risk of closure, and are cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust.

Peter Lankester, Regional Manager of the Trust, said: "These churches are a vital part of our country's heritage.

"They are focal points for local neighbourhoods and keepers of our local and national history."

The trust sees these historic churches as the first generation of community centres for mediaeval villages.

The Trust depends on fostering and strengthening links with the local area and it's residents for the churches to maintain these key roles in society.

Peter continues: "We find that local people of all persuasions care about churches for all sorts of valid reasons and want them to remain and be cherished, and to serve communities in new and appropriate ways in the future."

Historic Hampshire churches

Holy Trinity church in Privett, Alton has barely changed since pioneering naturalist and ornithologist Gilbert White wrote about it in the 18th century.

It was designed by Blomfield and built at the expense of Sir William Nicholson, the distiller, in 1876-78.

The architecture and mosaic floor convey quality and craftsmanship.

St Mary's church in Ashley, Stockbridge, is a 12th Century Norman church, and has features such as a 13th century wall painting in the splay of a small Norman window.

It is thought that it originated as a chapel for Gains Castle.

The Churches Conservation Trust

St Mary's church is set within what would have been a Norman fortification

The Churches Conservation Trust is the national charity protecting England's historic churches which are no longer needed for regular worship.

They care for over 300 churches - nine in Hampshire. Their aim is to bring them back into the heart of community life, ensuring their future survival by opening them up for everyday use.

Anyone can use the charity's churches, examples of contemporary uses range from nursery groups to circus schools.

They took part in a public singing event during the first weekend in October to celebrate the Churches Conservation Trust 40th birthday.

Birthday Song was an event where 40 choirs performed in 40 of the most nationally significant historic churches to provide local people with an opportunity to rediscover these magnificent buildings and the stories behind them.

Jools Holland, Vice President of the Churches Conservation Trust, said: "There is something quite magical and spectacular about being in a church filled with song and music."

To find out more about these buildings go to Churches Conservation Trust website