WORSHIPPERS celebrated the completion of a major project to mark their church’s 1,000th anniversary at their church fête.

Corhampton Church, which is thought to be the oldest church in continuous use in our diocese, dates back to 1020. A series of celebrations were due to be held throughout 2020, but the Covid pandemic put them on hold.

One of the major parts of the celebration was due to be the completion of a piece of embroidery, which was started by children from the nearby Meonstoke C of E Infant School back in 2019. Pupils paraded from the school to the church in costumes spanning the past 1,000 years to launch the project alongside the Mayor of Winchester.

The pandemic meant the children couldn’t complete the needlework themselves, but Alison Price, of Meon Valley Arts Society, took on the task. She sewed all the images created by children onto a banner. The completed project was presented at the 2021 church fête, which has just happened. Alison is pictured above with former county councillor Roger Huxstep, local MP Flick Drummond and the rector, the Rev Tony Forrest, at the fête.

The church fête also featured Luna Acrobatics and Aerial Arts, raising more than £9,500, the largest total in living memory. The church hopes to spend its share of the proceeds on some repairs and perhaps even some heating.

The year of celebration to mark the church’s millennium has now started in earnest - a year behind schedule. It has included displays of wildflowers and roses, a quiet day led by the Rector and the church fete. The full programme for the rest of the year is available here: bridgechurches.org.uk/c1000.

For more photos of the pupils dressed in costumes ranging from Saxons to suffragettes, and from Vikings to Victorians, click here.