Major roof repairs at All Saints Church to protect vital community hub in North Baddesley
All Saints Church in North Baddesley is set to undergo major roof repairs and insulation improvements, thanks to a £38,334 award from Test Valley Borough Council’s Community Delivery Fund. The project will address long‑standing issues with leaks, heat loss and internal damage, helping to secure the future of one of the village’s most important community spaces.
The repairs have been a long time coming. For nearly two years, local volunteers have been working to secure the funding needed to fix the failing roof, but the scale of the work meant only temporary patches were ever possible. With support from the Community Delivery Fund, the project can now move ahead in full, protecting a space that residents rely on every day.
The building is one of the most important community hubs in North Baddesley, offering essential services that help people stay connected, supported and well. It is home to the community library and Arthur’s Play Space, providing a trusted place for families with young children. It runs warm space sessions, coffee mornings and digital support, all of which play a vital role in tackling loneliness and giving people somewhere safe and welcoming to spend time. Memory‑friendly activities, wellbeing rooms, NHS health checks, local organisation meetings and Brownies sessions all take place under the same roof, making it a genuine lifeline for residents of all ages. These repairs will help safeguard the space so it can continue offering these essential services all year round.
While the building continues to support a wide range of activities, changing temperatures and ageing insulation have made it harder to keep the space consistently warm and comfortable, especially during the winter months. Families using Arthur’s Play Space and visitors to the community library have spoken about the difference that a more energy‑efficient building will make to their experience. These improvements will help create a welcoming, dependable environment all year round, ensuring residents can continue to enjoy the essential services and activities they value.
The work will include full repairs to the flat and pitched roofs, improved insulation throughout the roof space and a programme of internal ceiling refurbishment and decoration. These improvements will reduce heat loss, cut running costs and ensure the building remains welcoming and suitable for everyone who uses it. The new roof will also come with a 15‑year guarantee, offering long‑term protection and stability.
Councillor Stewart MacDonald, portfolio holder for community led projects, said; “The Community Delivery Fund is here to support the places that matter most to local people, and All Saints Church is a perfect example of that. It is a lifeline for families, older residents and community groups across North Baddesley, and these essential repairs will protect the building for many years to come. By backing this work, we’re helping to create a warmer, safer and more resilient space for everyone who uses it and ensuring this project leaves a lasting legacy for the community.”
Councillor Geoff Cooper, ward member for North Baddesley, added; “Cllrs Amanda Ford, Alan Warnes and I are delighted that the council’s Community Delivery Fund has supported All Saint’s Church. The church is an essential pillar of our community and crucial hub of village life. As ward councillors, we have always championed the fantastic community work carried out by the church, and this investment will help to ensure it is able to continue providing a safe and warm place for our residents from all walks of life and background to come together.”
The total cost of the project is £51,482, with the remaining funding coming from parishioner legacies and ongoing fundraising efforts, including craft markets, quiz nights and community events. The church holds all necessary permissions and has a strong record of delivering building improvements, making it well placed to manage the next phase of works.
These repairs mark the next step in safeguarding a space that plays a central role in daily village life, supporting everything from early years activities to warm spaces and wellbeing support. By investing now, the Community Delivery Fund is helping to secure these essential services for years to come, ensuring North Baddesley continues to have a safe, warm and welcoming place for people to meet, connect and thrive.
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