Forthampton

The centre of the village is now a conservation area, with St Mary's clearly prominent standing on the hill. About 50% of the properties are privately owned.  The village is part of the Forthampton Estate, which also extends into Worcestershire.  Its rural character and appearance are relatively unaffected by modern developments.  Forthampton lies on the west bank of the River Severn, opposite Tewkesbury.

In a recent survey, 54% of those who responded regarded the church as important to their household, although this is not always reflected with regular attendance at worship. Compared with Borough and County averages, Forthampton has a lower proportion of young people and a higher than average proportion of older people living in the village, 74% aged 26 or over.

A variety of social activities take place in the different venues, including Women's Institute; British Legion; Art Club; Table Tennis Club; Whist drives; Walking Club; a monthly Craft and Food Fayre; Open Gardens plus a variety of different concerts. As well as the church, the village also contains a Village Hall, a public house by the river and a separate Social Clubroom.

The civil parish, Forthampton Estate, the Church parish and the Forthampton postal address do not share the same boundaries, but the vast majority of the 'Forthampton' community associate themselves with Forthampton Church.

Members of the Victorian Society often visit to study the fine architectural heritage of the church. The church is open every day and welcomes visitors, evidence found in the visitor's book and donations given.

The Church Building, with its medieval heritage

The fine Victorian Gothic restoration includes work by both Burges and Webb, being particularly noticeable in the reredos, font, pulpit and stained glass windows. It is one of the few stone altars still to survive intact after the Reformation.  After the grotesque heads over the doorway, the next most remarkable survival is the thirteenth century altar complete with four chamfered stone shafts and three consecration crosses.  There is evidence of its Saxon and Norman origins.  The Church of St Mary is a building of blue lias rubble, with rooves of Cotswold stone slate.

 

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