This is a text-only version of an article first published on Tuesday, 7 October 2014. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
Harvest Sunday celebrations at a newly refurbished and environmentally friendly St George's Wash Common.
ON its 100 year anniversary St George's Church, Newbury announces the completion of a major overhaul that sees it fit for purpose as a warm and welcoming new community facilityAt the completion of this latest phase of the George Goes Green project, St George's Church is now completely refurbished.
Fully insulated, with under floor heating, a new stone floor, re-modelled chancel and redecorated throughout, it's an ideal space for concerts, lectures, rehearsals, music lessons/practice and even paper aeroplane competitions. With a new heating system, glazed thermal entrance lobby, extensive insulation, draught-proofing and solar panels on the church roof generating 24,000kW every year the church is warm, welcoming, and a low carbon venue.
All are welcome to a service on Harvest Sunday, 5th October to celebrate the completion of this work and reopening of the church, and to mark 100 years since the site was given for the church to be built. Launched in 2009, the George Goes Green campaign aimed to turn a cold, draughty and underused space at St George's, Wash Common, into a warm and welcoming community venue.
It also aimed to reduce the church's carbon footprint from 15 tonnes per year to zero.
With the flooring complete, the church has launched the fundraising for the final element; replacing the conventional heating system with a sustainable solution using ground source heat.
Of the 16,000 Anglican churches in this country, St George's is on its way to becoming one of the greenest.
Vicar, Paul Cowan, explains the vision behind George Goes Green: "Our aim is for St George's Church to be an active part of community life, heated with renewable energy, extensively used by local residents - and a flagship model for others to learn from and be encouraged by."