Peterstow Community Project

When the old village hall in Peterstow, three miles from Ross-on-Wye, was deemed unfit for purpose with the building in a bad state of repair and no drainage or running water, it was sold with the proceeds being put towards a new community meeting place.  

Village life, involving clubs, events and entertainment, required a warm, welcoming, comfortable facility in the heart of the community.  The Peterstow Community Project was established in June 2004 to find a venue for such a facility and, with the costs of a new building too prohibitive, it was agreed that the possibility of refurbishing the nave of St Peter’s Church would be explored.

This is supported by a Church of England report in 2004 which encourages Dioceses to consider making church buildings available for wider community use.  The church will continue to be a place of worship, but the use of the building will be extended through the development of the nave into a facility that will meet a number of needs.  Thus, village life will be restored through the provision of services to the small, rural community.

The Peterstow Community Project team asked Ledbury-based Stainburn Taylor Architects, to undertake a feasibility study into the proposal and set out the work which needed to be done, including the provision of toilet and kitchen facilities and disabled access.  The community gave overwhelming support to the project and following local fund-raising and a successful grant application to the Lottery Fund, building work commenced in February 2009.

Pews were removed to create an open space, a hearing loop system, energy-saving underfloor heating, kitchen and toilet were installed.  The main design objective was to minimize the impact of the new facilities on the fabric of the church, whilst at the same time enhancing the qualities of the existing building.  So, whilst the main focus of the Church is to remain as a place of worship, the nave design and layout is now flexible to allow it to be used for a variety of different activities.  The work was completed in June 2009.

Architect Rob Leach commented, “The local community enthusiastically supported the imaginative refurbishment of the nave of Peterstow Parish Church into an attractive, flexible and environmentally-friendly facility for everyone in the village to use.  Stainburn Taylor Architects are very pleased and proud to be associated with this project, which has ensured that Peterstow village life keeps thriving.”  

Peterstow church was re-dedicated by the Bishop of Hereford, The Rt Revd Anthony Priddis.

Stainburn Taylor is a long established architectural practice that specialises in the repair and conversion of private and public historic buildings.  Many of its projects involve the conversion of old buildings or the addition of new ones in sensitive, historic situations.  Previous projects include Wilton Castle, Madresfield House, Salwarpe House, Eastnor Castle and the National Trust property at Lower Brockhampton.  A respect for traditional materials, specified, where possible, from renewable sources, and the value of good craftsmanship are key factors in Stainburn Taylor’s design principals.