Barton Stacey Church is giving residents the opportunity to ‘adopt’ part of its heritage, and help preserve it for generations to come.You can pledge and reserve your tile(s) here All Saints Church dates, in part, back to the 11th century and stands today as a site of enormous historical interest, and a living working building within the village.Perhaps the most significant of the architectural treasures at All Saints are the ornate tiles surrounding the altar. These gorgeous 13th-century-floor tiles, their rich colours still glowing, are very similar in style to those in the retrochoir at Winchester Cathedral, the largest collection of its kind.Given they have been trampled on for more than 700 years, the fact our tiles have survived is extraordinary, but years of footfall, moisture and temperature change mean they are now in need of urgent restoration, with work estimated at around twenty thousand pounds.Enter the heroes of the hour… the Barton Stacey community! We are giving you, and anybody who loves this building, the opportunity to sponsor a tile!Sponsorship will take place during a special event “A Night on the Tiles” on Friday, 16th November at 7.30pm, but you can sign up in advance to reserve one or more tiles, at a cost of £30 each. In return you will receive a fab certificate, showing which tile(s) you have sponsored. There’ll be cheese and wine, and it promises to be a lot of fun.Our Rector, Mark, writes: “Our church is part of the fabric of our village, and it’s always pleasing to hear from people who don’t necessarily attend that regularly how much the church means to them. Many residents will have been married or christened here, or will have loved ones who were laid to rest in our churchyard.”“As well as our important work in the community, which is our top priority, keeping the building safe and open is an ongoing challenge.“This sponsorship scheme is an opportunity for those who love our church to have a stake in its history and its future, ensuring it can continue to serve the community for many centuries to come.”“There are 423 whole tiles in need of repair – if we can get sponsorship for all of them, then we will be well on our way to meeting our goal!”Sign up here to pledge to sponsor a tile
In a now well-established twice yearly tradition, residents of the village will be popping in to All Saints to tidy up the churchyard. There'll be tea and coffee, and array of baked goods on hand to keep you going. As well as keeping our grounds looking attractive, it's a very sociable morning, and usually a lot of fun - whatever the weather. Date: Saturday 6th OctoberTimings: 9.30am - 11.30am. Bring tools, energy and smiles. We give tea, coffee, cake and community!Gardens are not made by singing ‘Oh, how beautiful,’ and sitting in the shade. – Rudyard Kipling
