A CHURCH in Winchester is hosting a day of festivities to raise funds for refurbishments and repairs.

St Bartholomew’s Church, part of the three saints benefice, is hosting a day of full of heritage, music and activities.

At Hyde’s annual open day, on Saturday, August 20, 10am until 4pm, the church will reveal plans for phase two of their refurbishments.

Phase one included installation of a kitchenette and wheelchair accessible toilet in 2021. Representatives from the organisations who donated have been invited to the open day at King Alfred's Place.

The Rev Karen Kousseff, rector of St Bartholomew and St Lawrence with St Swithun-upon-Kingsgate said: “It’s a great opportunity for people to find out more about this church’s great significance in the history of Winchester 'the King’s city': as the only complete and active remnant of Hyde Abbey, it is a direct link to the story of King Alfred the Great.”

King Alfred the Great reinterred in the Abbey church in 1110. The church is home to King Alfred Weekend, an annual commemoration of this life and legacy in October.

Rev Kousseff continued: “People can see some of the finest examples of medieval carving in Europe (carved capitals from the Abbey excavated from local gardens); and find out about the church’s other work as an active parish church for Hyde and Abbotts Barton, as well as its plans to become a thriving centre for community events such as concerts, plays, talks and other gatherings.”

The event is in conjunction with the Hyde900 Archaeological Dig Open Day. Both events are set to receive a visit from the mayor of Winchester, Cllr Derek Green.

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Karen said: “We hope people will go away informed, refreshed, entertained and more aware of the importance of this church to the city as well as to the local community. We hope they will support our ‘Giving for Living’ appeal, to help make St Bartholomew’s a vibrant centre of Living History, Living Faith and Living Community. The Day will also further cement the church’s relationship with Hyde900, as two organisations with a deep common interest in the heritage of this part of Winchester.

The church launched the Giving for Living appeal to fund repairs and refurbishments for the building and ensure a successful future as a local venue for the arts, heritage, community groups and Christian worship and prayer.

For phase two of the project the church hope to continue the building’s revamp. Plans include making it more accessible for wheelchairs and buggies through improving the level access path; creating a heritage area to tell the story of Hyde Abbey and King Alfred; developing a more versatile space for concerts, plays and other community events; installing a more eco-friendly and efficient heating system and renovating the plasterwork and internal décor.

The church is normally open to visitors every Saturday 10am until 1pm but the open day is a special annual event, coinciding with the church’s celebration of St Bartholomew’s Day. A festival service will be held on Sunday, August 21 at 10am.

Tea and cake, musical performances, children’s activities will all be available at the open day as well as information on the church’s heritage, refurbishment plans and the work of their community partner Hyde 900.

For more on the three saints benefice go to: threesaints.org.uk/st-bartholomew.

And to donate to the giving for living appeal visit: givealittle.co/campaigns/.

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