The community in Eaton started raising funds in 2016 to improve the facilities in its church building. There is no village hall, pub, shop or other indoor public space in the village, so the vision was to provide a much-needed community space by adding a kitchenette and accessible toilet and removing some of the pews to create a social space.
It was a long journey towards raising the £55,000 needed to complete the project. This included:
- Seven successful grant applications: £10,000 from the National Churches Trust, £7,500 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, £2,500 from the Beatrice Laing Trust, £2,000 from Benefact Group, £1,100 from Nottinghamshire County Council, £1,000 from Retford Rotary Club / The Percy Laws Memorial Fund and £500 from the Jessie Spencer Trust.
- Several sponsored events such as a New Year’s Day dip in the Idle, a head shave, a 10k run and bike rides.
- Community events such as open gardens, harvest suppers and village fetes.
- Car boot sales.
- Plant and produce sales.
- Christmas activities such as carol singing, ‘sponsor a star’ in the churchyard and the sale of Christmas cards.
Individual donations, including from the Jamia Al-Karam College at Eaton Hall and via www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/eatonallsaints.
With the fundraising target largely met, a contract was signed for the building work to start in 2021, but unfortunately delays due to obtaining all of the necessary permissions and the availability of materials and contractors meant that it was not completed until April 2023.
The community of Eaton is now delighted to be able to use the church building for its events and activities, with the work being finished just in time for them to enjoy a screening of the King’s Coronation.
They would therefore like to welcome everyone to an event to officially open the facilities and to celebrate everything that has been achieved. This will take place at All Saints Church, Main Street, Eaton, Retford DN22 0PS on Saturday 22nd July from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Cakes, ice creams and refreshments will be available and there will be some activities for children.
Please check the Facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/allsaintseatonandgamston or email eatonallsaints@outlook.com.