A TINY iron church will provide the venue on Sunday for carols in the wood – the annual service held at the gypsy church on Bramdean Common, near Alresford.

Reputed to have been built in just five weeks in 1883, by and for the gypsy communities and charcoal makers who lived on the common, the small green building, trimmed in white and with a bell tower, stands as a virtually unknown gem in the Upper Itchen benefice, part of the Winchester Diocese.

Facing demolition in 1986, Jim Lovelock, a former policeman and long-time chairman of trustees of the Church in the Wood, took up the baton to save the church for posterity by keeping it sound and active.

While Jim died in April last year, his love for the church has been perpetuated after donations, given at his funeral, paid for the roof, bell tower and weathercock to have a much-needed rub down and a coat of paint.

A spokesman for the trustees said: “The marvellous thing is that no hint of rust was found in the roof cladding despite being 133 years old, a tribute indeed to the quality of Victorian steel and red oxide paint!”

Jim would be pleased to know that the Church in the Wood will provide the venue once again this year for the annual carol service, which starts at 3pm and will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

The church can only seat 50 people, so visitors must be prepared, if necessary, to stand outside. People on horseback are welcome to attend alongside the walkers.

To find your way, listen for the bell...