Work to start on St Martin's Church in Horsley

Villagers recently scooped a £500 award for best community project from Gloucestershire Rural Community Council for the 3 in 1 project, which aims to make the best use possible of the church nave.

The 3 refers to the church, the school and the community.

Judges from GRCC were impressed with the way that various disparate groups came together to make it work.

They said it stood out as an example of what innovative thinking can achieve.

Helen Knuckle, a school governor and member of the church, said: "The idea started when Ofsted inspectors visited the primary school.

"Their report emphasised the need for a fit-for-purpose school hall.

"The school already used the church for assemblies but we started to think about a more appropriate space."

Pews have been auctioned off by church warden Stan Burrage, raising £5,000, and will be replaced by individual chairs which can be stacked and stored.

This means the community will be able to use the hall for events such as concerts, plays and dance groups and Horsley Primary School will rent the space on a 25 year lease.

Now work is due to begin on installing toilets, a kitchen serving area, heating and a new floor.

The total cost of the project is likely to be £200,000, which has been raised through various grants, fund-raising ideas and donations.

The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust, the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust and the Gloucester Diocese have all been invaluable in helping villagers to get the project off the ground.

The project also received money from estate agents Hamptons International.

The Stroud office came up with a scheme whereby when Hamptons sold a house in Horsley part of the selling fee would be donated to the 3 in 1 project.

Representatives will soon be handing over a cheque for £250 after selling a house in the village.

Once the hall is completed a launch event will be held in the autumn.

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