The new facilities at St John’s in Doddington are now fully open after a major renovation. For nearly 180 years the building has served as a focus for community activity - a place for celebration, quiet reflection, mutual support, memorial and creativity. With months of work and vital funding, the church can continue these roles for years to come.

Visitors from near and far can now enjoy a good coffee while learning about the area's rich history and community. New displays have been created by locals including a digital guide, historic objects and a model of the hill landscape. The ancient coal stove has been updated to super-efficient printed panels which warm as they inform. The new catering area is decorated with tiles made by local people and there’s even a composting loo!

Those who came to the finale performance of Song of the Hill at St Laurence’s will know it was an amazing and emotional celebration of this special place we live in. With nearly 300 voices singing these new anthems for Clee hill, Alf Jenkins playing his childhood harmonica and the haunting call of the Iron Age carnyx, there were more than a few spine tingling moments. Sid Peacock and the Surge Orchestra were joined by local musicians to celebrate the work of local folk singers like Dennis Crowther, but the real stars of the show were the pupils of Clee Hill Primary Academy. They have helped Sid write these new songs and took centre stage on the night. A huge thanks to everyone who helped make this such a special experience.

There are still ways to get involved and benefit from this community asset. On June 19th we are holding a workshop to help record and preserve the family information on our gravestones. This is vital for families looking for their roots and we are lucky enough to have all our original registers recording marriages, births and burials right back to 1848. To join, see the Events listing