The All Saints’ Church Refurbishment

The Quinquennial Inspection of All Saints' Church identified the need to totally re-tile the church roof. In early 2020 the All Saints’ PCC set up a Project Team, chaired by Tom Wilson, to define the extent of the project, to identify the likely cost and to recommend the funding options.

At the same time the PCC asked the Project Team to explore

1. insulating the roof
2. identifying and undertaking any required tree works
3. upgrading the heating and lighting

Fund Raising

Over £120,000 was raised for the Phases 1 and 2 during 2021 and 2022, the vast majority coming from donors within the Parish, which was remarkable. The balance was raised from fund raising events and from the descendants of Stephen Hopkins who was christened at All Saints and was on the Mayflower and an American founding father.

The roof is restored - now the heating and lighting have also been totally modernised and updated

The roof was totally restored in early 2022 and the tress in the Churchyard were pruned and tidied up in 2023. About £30,000 remained in the Fabric Fund at the end of these works.

The project to improve the heating and lighting which are costly to run, visually unattractive and sub-standard has been underway during February and will be completed by 1st March.  During the project, all the old non-compliant and very visual wiring will be removed, and new fireproof wiring installed in a more sympathetic way.

The installation of a range of Herschel FAR Infra-Red Heaters throughout Church and Meadow Room will greatly improve the heat quality and reduce costs. These heaters emit no light which means the benefits of the new lighting, which has been designed to improve lighting quality and highlight architectural and heritage features in this iconic building, is maximised. The lighting design also allows lighting configuration to be specifically set for services as well as other events, such as flower festivals and musical events, ensuring the Church can play a greater part in supporting the Community.

This phase of the project has been supported by donations from a number of parishioners as well as events organised by the All Saints’ PCC Fund Raising Committee over the last year (e.g. Larondina, Wreath Making Workshops, Bridge Drive). In addition, generous grants have been received from

• Cowdown Renewables Ltd
• The Benefact Trust
• The Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust
• The Garfield Weston Foundation
• TVBC
• HCC
• Upper Clatford May Fayre