Feature

1000 Years of Corhampton Church

Serving the Community for a Millennium

Corhampton church is believed to have been built in 1020 and has been in continuous use for the last 1000 years. It is a living monument to our rich heritage. In celebration, the community is planning a series of cultural and community events. With the help of The National Lottery Community Fund, Winchester City Council, and Hampshire County Council, the aim is to foster inclusivity across the whole village and to enable everyone to participate in the celebrations.

We are hoping that all the planned celebratory events for the 1000th birthday of our beautiful Saxon Church will be able to go ahead. So, below, you will find many of the events we have in store for you. The majority are free or at minimum cost. We would be delighted to see you at any or all of them. Booking may be through Eventbrite. There will be more publicity in the Forum magazine next month and as the year unfolds, but please look at this page on the Bridge website http://www.bridgechurches.org.uk/c1000/ and on the Benefice Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ MeonBridgeBenefice for any last minute changes, should the Covid pandemic affect our plans.

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th June 2021 From 10am to 5pm Saturday and 11.30am to 5pm Sunday Corhampton and St Andrew’s – Simple wildflowers in Corhampton and different specimens of roses in St Andrew’s. (Access to Corhampton may be limited to 2 people or one bubble, at a time, because of Covid restrictions.) Refreshments will be served in St Andrew’s between 11.30 and 12.30 and 14.30 and 16.30.

If you would like to contribute an arrangement of wildflowers for display in Corhampton please bring them in a simple container to the Church on Friday 18th June between 18.30 and 19.00. If you feel inspired to compose a verse of poetry or write out a poem, please copy it out onto a card with clearly visible writing. Don’t worry it isn’t a competition. It’s a wonderful opportunity to display the natural beauty of the countryside in Corhampton Church where simplicity is tangible. Please let Lorna Allured know if you are going to take part by 14th June. 877718 lornaallured@yahoo.co.uk Saturday 26th June From 10am - 4pm Corhampton/Outside – Quiet Day - A day of spiritual activities, reflection and prayer led by The Rev’d Tony Forrest. Where is life’s journey taking you?

Explore your faith journey reflecting on the landmarks of your relationship with God using a range of spiritual aids. Please book by Saturday 19th June, after which you will be sent details of where to meet.

For the Eventbrite booking please copy and paste this link into your browser: bit.ly/3ocSkLL

Saturday 3rd July From 12.30am to 4pm - Church Green, Meonstoke – Church Fete: Bring the family and enjoy learning new circus skills with Top Banana Circus. Take a shot at being a winner with our Duck Races, play a game, join an activity or just relax and listen to the live music. Browse and buy from our exciting stalls - Toys, Books, Bric-A-Brac, Bottles, Plants & Produce, Jams & Preserves, Soaps Scents Scarves & Accessories. There will be delicious food so don't forget to eat! The BBQ will be up and running along with our tea & cake stand, ice cream stall and, of course, beer & Pimms. And of course, the raffle with great prizes! Come, see friends, laugh, smile and have some fun. We deserve to, don't you think? See you all at the Fete. (Entry fees will apply)

Refreshments will be available at events: Donations may be requested. A whole host of other commemorative activities and projects are being undertaken, including an applique which the local infant school children have started. This involves a timeline covering the last 1000 years depicting the children in costumes from different historical periods. We have also been celebrating services through the ages, including using the Sarum Missal which would have been in use when Corhampton Church was first built. With the support of the National Lottery Community Fund, Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council and the South Downs National Park - Fostering inclusivity across our Villages