Saving the heritage and sustaining the Community

After nearly eight years of planning, developing, fundraising, building and restoration the Huntspill Hub, community space at St Peter and All Hallows Church West Huntspill has been officially opened by Revd Christine Judson, the Vicar of The Huntspills and Mark. She said, “Together we are ‘Saving the Heritage and Sustaining the Community’ and I am deeply grateful for all that has been done thus far and very excited by all that lies ahead.”

Local people thronged to the church for the opening to see the results of all the hard work undertaken to provide a community space inside the church that everyone can use. The Hub includes a new cafe, accessible toilets, a kitchen, storage area, a large open plan seating area, as well as a children’s play area plus wi-fi. Alongside this work is underway to restore the church tower.

St Peter and All Hallows was awarded £678,200 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and this money together with other funds raised, helped pay for essential repairs to the church, particularly to the stonework and tower roof. It also went towards the installation of facilities which form the new community space within the church, creating a much-needed hub for the community.

David Lemon Project Coordinator said, “During the eight hundred years, that a church has stood on this site it has continually developed and changed to meet the needs of the community, and this is another step on that journey.

“In two recent village surveys it was evident that the community needed a hub to reduce isolation and grow a united community. This carefully designed reordering of the west end of the church will do that.

“Without the funding the project team were able to secure, it would not have been possible to maintain this beautiful historic building or adapt it for today’s community needs.”

Bath and Wells Church Buildings Adviser, Emma Brown said, “An extraordinary amount of time and energy that has been given by the local community and volunteers to save this significant historic church from further deterioration, which will now remove it from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register.

“The determination to succeed in spite of the pandemic and secure significant funding is remarkable and the Diocese is extremely grateful and delighted at what has been achieved. The new community facilities will ensure this churches future for generations to come.” 

A programme of community events including exhibitions, workshops, performances and activities is planned for the new year and there are already plans to use the hub for local clubs. Organisations in the area have voiced their interest in using the space to holding meetings and functions. 

David said, “It is now beginning to show that the long time spent in getting the project right has all been worthwhile. We have raised the profile of the church in the community, and slowly our numbers and interest is growing.”