A HAMPSHIRE church is hoping to boost its connection to the community with a two week programme of events.

Velmore Church’s ‘The Big Event’ will begin with a cream tea afternoon tomorrow.

Following this, the Chandler’s Ford church will host 15 different activities over a jam-packed two week programme.

This includes a children’s holiday club, a meal and a magic show, and a talk with a life-long shepherd.

Pastor Bob Dibb, who is one of the 30 people helping to organise the programme, said: “We’ve something on almost every day for the next fortnight.

“We wanted to do something to the church more involved with the community.

“We’ve tried to do something for people of all ages and something different for everyone so we can do something for the whole community.”

Following Sunday’s cream team afternoon, which begins at 4pm, the church will host a ‘build a birdhouse’ event for children and their parents at 2pm on Tuesday, August 22.

On Wednesday, at 2.30pm, local historian Barbara Hillier will host a talk about Chandler’s Ford in Victorian Times, while life-long shepherd David Sullivan will visit the church at 10.30am on Friday, August 25, to talk about his life.

The church will host an African experience, with food, crafts and music on Monday, August 28.

A holiday club for children will also take place in the second week of events, ending on Sunday, September 3 with a buffet event.

Pastor Dibb, who has been at the church for 11 years, said: “It’s going to a really busy fortnight.

“We have done individual events but never a concerted thing like this before.”

For a full list of events log on to dailyecho.co.uk

Sunday, August 20 - 4pm - Cream Tea

Tuesday, August 22 - 2.30pm - Make a bug hotel and build a bird house

Wednesday, August 23 - 2.30pm - Chandler’s Ford in Victorian Times by Barbara Hillier

Thursday, August 24 - 7pm - The Price is Right game show with a chance to win a Sunday lunch.

Friday, August 25 - 10.30am - A day in the life of a shepherd by David Sullivan

Saturday, August 26 - 3.30pm - Family fun and games

Sunday, August 27 - 10.30am - Messy church for all ages with buffet lunch

Monday, August 28 - 10.30am - African experience - with food, crafts and music

Tuesday, August 29 - 10.30am - Adventure Cruise Holiday Club - Aged 5-11 - 2.30pm - Money matters talk on dealing with money and debts

Wednesday, August 30 -10.30am - Adventure Cruise Holiday Club - 2.30pm - Woodturning demonstration with local wood turner

Thursday, August 31 - 10.30am - Adventure Cruise Holiday Club

Friday, September 1 - 6pm - Meal and magic show

Saturday, September 2 - 2.30pm - Adventure Cruise Holiday Club - barbecue tea for children with parents

Sunday, September 3 - 10.30am - Final Adventure Cruise Holiday Club - followed by buffet