Romsey Abbey launches fundraising campaign to go green

The campaign, which is running until Saturday, July 5, is in line with the Church of England's goal to be zero carbon by 2030.

The halogen spotlights are the biggest users of electricity in the Abbey, generating an estimated three tonnes of CO2 per year.

They are used at all services and events in the Grade 1 listed building, which serves as both a parish church and a major cultural venue.

The Abbey wants to replace the halogen spotlights with LEDs.

The Abbey wants to replace the halogen spotlights with LEDs. (Image: Philip Clewer) The Rev Canon Thomas Wharton, Vicar of Romsey, said: "Good stewardship of the environment is a key imperative for us as Christians.

"This is the first significant project that we have undertaken on our journey towards net zero carbon in our Grade 1 listed Abbey.

"Replacing all our spotlights with energy-efficient LED lights and a modern and flexible control system will enhance everyone’s experience, whether they are attending worship, concerts or exhibitions, and could save two tonnes of CO2 emissions each year."

The cost of suitable LED lights is around £1,000 each, bringing the total system replacement cost to approximately £100,000.

The six-week digital fundraising campaign is supported by the Church of England's Give to Go Green scheme, which will match-fund the money raised up to a maximum of £10,000.

Revd Wharton said: "We are excited to launch this fundraising campaign, and we hope that the many people in the area who love and enjoy events in this beautiful Abbey will get behind it.

"To qualify for match-funding, donations must be made online within the campaign period, and to make this easy, we have a QR code which is being published on flyers and on Facebook and have set up a 'Give to Go Green' page with a donate button on our Abbey website."

The campaign opened on Saturday, May 24.