A HISTORIC church has been recognised for being environmentally minded.
St Mary’s Church has for the past two years been working towards attaining the three levels of the Eco Church Environmental Award Scheme set up by A Rocha UK.
The 19th century church is celebrating after recently achieving silver level status.
On Sunday, September 23 the deputy mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Martin Hatley and mayoress Joanne Hatley attended a special service to mark this achievement and to present the Eco Church Silver Award Plaque and Certificate to the clergy.
A spokesperson for the church said: “This award has been achieved by looking at all aspects of how environmentally friendly the church and its community is.
“We have now full LED lighting in the church, use green energy supplier and participate in Test Valley’s Andover Vision work and the Recycling Stars scheme.
“Some of the requirements are challenging as St Mary’s has listed building status.
“Church members have been asked to review and improve their individual carbon footprints.”
At present there are very few churches in the Test Valley area to attain this level in the awards.
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