New window will bring colours of the Forest into St Peter and St Paul's Church in Ringwood

A RINGWOOD church has appealed for help to complete a £110,000 window restoration project that will bring the colours of the New Forest into the building.

More than 170 years of weathering had deteriorated the original southern transept glazing and surrounding stonework of St Peter and St Paul’s Church to the point where the glass could fall out.

For the last three years the area has been cordoned off by netting, with fears growing that if the window was not restored in time the church would have to close.

But with the support of the Friends of Ringwood Parish Church, work has now begun on repairing the stonework and fitting a green and yellow ‘celebration’ window.

The church still needs to raise £80,000 to complete the stonework repairs and has asked for help to finish the job.

Salisbury Cathedral Stained Glass was commissioned to make the glass, which was designed by Emma Mullen of St Ann’s Gate Architects.

Emma said: “In designing the simple motifs and colour scheme for the window, I wanted to be outward looking, as the church is – and in Ringwood, that means the New Forest.

“So the design incorporates greens and yellows to replicate the natural tones of dappled sunlight through the trees.”

Churchwarden Jacqueline Brown said: “We’re really excited to finally have this major repair project under way.

“It’s been a very long time in the planning. The huge scaffold is very visible in the town and I’m sure people are wondering what’s happening.

“Our stonemason and the glaziers are working very hard to get the work done quickly whilst making sure all the repairs needed are done to the highest standard, so that this part of the church will be watertight for the next 100 years.”

To support the restoration email roger.dewar@ringwoodbenefice.org.uk or call 01425 483622.