Our Summer project in 2026 ran for 5 weeks, following which we have stepped back and taken a well-earned break.

Our visitors' book is packed with lovely messages and, by way of balance, a tiny number of people took the trouble to say they did not like it!

So what was it that they loved … or didn’t?

There was unanimous enjoyment of the seven (7!) cream tea events and we had some groups coming back 3 times. The Church was universally admired and revered, and our visitors were keen to stay and chat, so having stewards on hand was a real bonus. People who had no prior knowledge of St John's discovered it for the first time. Children adored the creature hunt, and adults were greatly impressed by our beautiful handmade book about the life of St. John. The baby swallows in their nest provided the icing on the cake.

What bothered the few who did not appreciate our installation?

There were a few rumblings about hoisting litter up the tower, strident colours, and "going on too long". We had a wedding party who wanted everything taken down and, in contrast, a funeral party insisted that everything remain exactly in place, especially Dolly Parton in the wheelbarrow.

Our displays have gone on tour to two Brockenhurst churches, and two, possibly three, in Bournemouth. We have made some great new friends among the wider community and received generous help and support from many.

Thanks to lots of hard work and our generous visitors, we have raised just over £5,000, to be divided equally between St. John's, the Countryside Education Trust and Coda Arts and Music Trust.

We also heartily thank EVERYONE involved - the PCC said yes, gave us a budget and "got it". Our innovative engineering team made everything secure at the top of the tower. Friends old and new turned up without question and answered the call for help, and our knitters and makers and the whole creative team worked tirelessly till the job was done.

And as to the future, we have had so much encouragement to keep on bringing a wider community to our beautiful church. So, after a pause for reflection, we will regather our thoughts, ask for ideas and advice and perhaps bring something new and beautiful again to St. John’s.