In 2019, the Friends of Droxford Church (FODC) achieved the goal that inspired their creation: the full restoration of St Mary & All Saints’ historic tower. The medieval structure, a landmark in the Meon Valley for over nine centuries, after just 3 years of being placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register due to serious structural weaknesses. Without urgent intervention, the tower faced the possibility of collapse, jeopardising both the safety of the public and the survival of the church as a whole.
FODC launched a major fundraising campaign to tackle the challenge head-on, they raised £650,000. The strategy combined heritage and community grants, private donations. The response from villagers, former residents, and supporters from further afield was overwhelming, reflecting the deep connection many felt to the church and its role in village life.
The strategy that was chosen in the end to save the Tower was to go for a hybrid approach from our At Risk page of adapted use while still retaining its centre as a place of worship. This was chosen in order to guarantee £220,000 from Heritage Lottery and is one of the reasons we have the charitable mission of Community, Heritage and Church Building.
The restoration work stabilised and repaired the tower, and provided it with an income stream in the form of Wilfrid’s Café, ensuring it will stand for generations to come. The forward-looking addition of a café created a sustainable source of income to support the ongoing maintenance of the church, preventing it from sliding back onto the At Risk register in future years.
Today, the tower stands safe, the café is thriving, and the church continues to serve as a centre for worship, heritage, and community activities. FODC’s success in 2019 is a lasting example of how vision, determination, and collective effort can save not just a building, but the heart of a village.
Written by Ivor Coleman, Designed by David Goodman
