 |
2027 marks 800 years since the first recorded incumbent at St Peter & St Paul’s Church in Rothershorpe. In readiness for this anniversary, the church has embarked on a programme of repair and refurbishment to consolidate its place at the heart of the community.
This programme of work, known as ‘Towards 800’ includes repairs to the stonework, re-wiring of the church’s electrics and improvements to the heating and internal decoration. This work is of course important for the fabric of the building but also means that the church can become a space for more than church services, it can become a community hub for those with or without faith that the village is currently missing.
Rothersthorpe is a village of 200 houses but no village hall available during school hours as it’s shared with the school, so St Peter’s & St Paul’s is the only place for daytime activities and social gatherings to take place. The church has started to host a local craft club after it became too large to be held in members’ living rooms, and there is a Friday afternoon café, started by the Church, but now managed by volunteers who want somewhere to socialise, recognising the benefit on their mental health. However, it is believed that by carrying out improvements, these and others could be held all year round in a warmer, better lit church.
 |
The ‘Towards 800’ project was the brainchild of church treasurer, Val Bridges and she has made it her mission to bring in money for the work in as many ways as possible including numerous applications for funding, applying for a Fabric Repair Grant, investigating match funding possibilities, registering with the ‘Give a Little’ scheme, which brings in donations via QR codes, and holding a sponsored ‘Towards 800’ challenge which involved swimming, biking and running over 800 miles – this raised just under £1000! The local community have generously supported various fundraising events including concerts and plant sales.
Val says "the progress so far has been hugely rewarding. We’ve known for some time that the stonework and masonry needed repairing. It was a real inspiration to shape up the programme and “dream big”. Once the first grant application was successful, it gave us confidence that our project was inspirational to others, too. Our architect, stonemason and scaffolders have been brilliant to work with. My thanks to them and to all our many grant providers and donors."
Val’s success in finding funding has seen the stonework repairs completed this year and plans are now underway to work on the heating system and church wiring with the works on target to be finished in 2027.
 |
Having stood in the heart of the village for over 800 years, St Peter’s & St Paul’s has always been a centre of faith and community, and it is hoped that the ‘Towards 800’ programme will ensure that this continues for many generations to come.