CHURCH services welcoming people from all walks of life are to start up in Picket Twenty.

In a bid to provide the development with more on-site amenities, bringing faith to the community is one of the ideas that is coming to fruition.

Two picnic fun days are being hosted at the new play park at Picket Twenty, on Sunday, August 19, and Sunday, September 2, to engage with residents before services hope to begin in September.

The church will be headed up by Reverend Andy Fitchet, an ordained Baptist minister.

Revd. Fitchet said: “It is really exciting. The community forum noticed there wasn’t anything faith going on at the development. Picket Twenty is larger than quite a few of the villages and yet has no amenities.

“It has no shop, no church, so we decided to do something about it. St Mary’s is the closest church which is a 45-minute walk away so it would be nice to have something in the community for Picket Twenty.

“I’m trying to make this an inclusive church to come in and feel welcome regardless of sexuality and gender or anything else.”

On the church’s website it emphasises its inclusive nature, in welcoming people “whether they are LBGT+ or straight, employed or unemployed, have never been married or have been married five times, Andover born and bred or from somewhere else...you get the picture.”

A location is set to be confirmed however talks are being held with Pilgrim’s Cross Church of England School, and with Persimmon Homes about potentially building a place of worship in the long term.

Picket Twenty campaigner Adam Buckenham said: “We started exploring ideas about what things can be offered such as activities and so on and church services popped up.

“It’s a really good way building up the community together, even if you are not a church goer. I haven’t been to church in years but I think it is well worth having some sort of church presence.

“The fun days are a chance to get the community together a bit I think it is going to be great fun.”

To find out more go to pickettwenty.church/ or its Facebook page which is called Picket Twenty Church.