For the last two years Snowdrop Weekend at this pretty church near Fordingbridge had been cancelled due to the pandemic, but 2022 saw people travelling from far and wide to view the spectacle.

St George’s Church was open on 12 and 13 February for homemade cakes, tea and coffee. Bric-a-brac, books and snowdrops for sale, donated by local people, all helped raise funds for the church.

A visit on a cold February day to see the ground white with snowdrops is not only uplifting but the setting offers a warm welcome and time for reflection. As well as many interesting gravestones, there are several war graves that can be seen in the picturesque churchyard.

If you missed Snowdrop Weekend this year, make a note to visit in 2023.

Information about the Church of St George

Thought to date back to early Norman times, the Church of St George could have been in existence in Saxon times. It has been added to and restored over the centuries.

The north aisle was added between 1100 and 1150, but was rebuilt in the 15^th Century. The greatest period of alteration to the church was during the second half of the 15^th Century.

The pews date from 1859 and though many churches were ‘restored’ during the Victorian era, St George’s escaped drastic ‘restoration.’

In 1925 the east window above the Altar was given in memory of Sir Eyre Coote, Bt, the then owner of West Park estate.

In 1992 the War Memorial Chapel was created in the north aisle – commemorative kneelers were made by Royal British Legion and church members.

There are six bells. According to the Rev HW Moule, a former vicar and bell ringer, there were originally three bells and two more were added in 1666. The tenor bell bears the inscription: I WAS CAST IN THE YEARE OF PLAGUE WARREE AND FIRE 1666 – referring to the Great Plague, the war with Holland and the Fire of London. In 1937, a new treble bell was presented to the church, by Mrs Hibberd of South Allenford Farm.

A comprehensive guide recommends inspection of the wooden bosses in the ceiling. In the porch, they are of leaves, but those in the Nave include grotesque heads, roses and intertwined twigs.

The carving immediately above the main door of the church shows St George slaying a Saracen at the battle of Antioch, 1098. Although this figure has been assigned to the reign of Richard the Lionheart, it may have been earlier.

On the Altar stands the cross. It is the only exotic furnishing in the church and comes from Italy – a reminder that the Church of God, though familiar to us all, is yet truly Catholic and spread throughout the world. All other fitments from Norman times onwards are English.

The Church of St George is a listed building and was first listed on 13 February 1987.

Sadly thieves struck in 2019 and stripped the lead, which contained irreplaceable historic inscriptions, from the roof tower. This had to be replaced at great expense and the Reverend Leslie Player set up a crowdfunding appeal to raise £10,000. The appeal closed on 30 June 2020 after reaching £10,526, however, further repair work is needed.

Anyone wishing to donate to safeguard the future of this important ancient church can do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/snowdropappealdamerham?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=20210221