Raising £1.3m for our church

They have embarked on a mammoth fundraising drive for the £1.3m needed to pay for the church on land off Whiteley Way, next to the Tesco store.

Led by the Rev Judy Henning the ecumenical congregation has been coming up with all sorts of money-spinning ideas including an auction of pledges in the community centre next Saturday.

With £500,000 already pledged from the Church of England, Methodist Church and United Reformed Church towards the project the Rev Henning said building work is on course to start before 2005.

Hampshire education chiefs are still in talks with the Education Board of the Diocese of Ports-mouth about the possible construction of a new one-form entry primary school on the site.

The idea for the church school has won backing from Rev Henning but as yet the diocese has made no formal bid to the Department of Education.

"We are aware of the need for another primary school in Whiteley and if we can help, we will," she said.

"All the congregation is looking forward to having our new church from where we can help and serve the community."

At the moment the 60-strong congregation holds its services at Whiteley Community Centre in Gull Coppice.

Before the centre opened earlier this year the church met at Whiteley Primary School, a temporary community centre, the Solent Hotel, and a private house.

Winchester City Council planners granted the £1.3m scheme permission earlier this year.

It includes plans for an open-all- day-chapel, church hall, worshipping area and meeting rooms.

It is hoped the church, complete with kitchen and facilities designed to cater for weddings and conferences, will become a focal point for Hampshire's newest mini-town.

The auction of pledges will take place on November 30 at 6.30pm in the community centre. Admission costs £2 or £5 per family. Pledges include two hours of ironing, four hours of cleaning and football coaching. For details call Phil Sutton on 01489 881544.