FRAMPTON Cotterell’s parish church is opening its doors for a weekend of events to mark the end of its 700th anniversary year.

St Peter’s Church, on Church Road, has seen a place on worship on the site for centuries but was built and dedicated to St Peter in 1315. It was rebuilt and extended by the Victorians, with the medieval tower the only part of the original building to remain intact, and was rededicated in 1858.

“St Peter’s great strength is that it is a church which strives to be at the centre of the community,” said Rev Malcolm Strange.

“We have a great relationship with other churches, the Globe pub next door and other organisations. We have a phenomenal relationship with Frampton Cotterell C of E Primary School and have held various events with them including a hymathon.

“St Peter’s is a classic Anglican church in the sense that it has a faithful Sunday congregation but at major festivals and events it fills to the brim.”

During its 700th year, the church has seen a quiet room fitted inside for children to use during Sunday services and for meetings and has moved its font after it was identified as a health and safety hazard.

There have been celebrations to mark the anniversary since the beginning of the year including a community day on Mothering Sunday and a rededication ceremony in January.

There were now be three final days of events from June 24 to 26 with a folk concert on the Friday (7-10.30pm) featuring the vocal talents of Mr Strange, an assistant head teacher at St Bede’s Catholic College in Bristol who is widely known as ‘the singing vicar’.

“I like churches to be used for spiritual and non-spiritual events because that is what they were for historically,” said Mr Strange.

“They are not holy shrines, they are places for the community. As well as marking key moments in people’s lives they are also places for the whole community to gather.”

On the Saturday the church will be open all day for members of the community to visit, enjoy organ recitals and performances by the Crossbow Singers and a glass of wine. Then on Sunday (6pm) a special Songs of Praise service will take place and all are welcome.