A CENTURY-and-a-half’s worth of history has been on display in a Hartley Wintney church.

The history of St John’s Church was put on show for the public as a part of the Fringe Festival that took place across the village throughout last week.

The exhibition chronicled the history of the church and its residents, including the various vicars and how the place has changed.

Fiona Sutton, the organiser of the exhibition, said: “We must have had 500 people coming to the exhibition throughout the course of the week.

“The exhibits follow the journey of vicars of the church throughout the 150 years that the church had been here.

“There was also information on how the area had changed over time, and also the history of the Royal British Legion in the areas.”

Schools, Hartley Wintney Preservation Society, and Hartley Wintney University of the Third Age were all involved in helping to make displays.

One of the popular displays was an exhibition of how wedding dresses have changed throughout the ages.

Fiona added: “We were part of the Fringe, and it was great seeing everybody get involved.

“People really embraced the history of the area, and they came together to really put Hartley Wintney on the map.

“Lots of groups pulled together and it was really good to bring the church community together, as well as the local community.”

Also taking place at the church on Saturday was a community picnic, which went ahead despite the changeable weather on the day.

As well as the food, there was music from a variety of locally-based sources, including a choir from Robert May’s School in Odiham, while John the lollipop man gave a few of the hits.

Fiona said: “The picnic was really good, people enjoyed themselves and the Scouts and Brownies really pitched in helping us. It was well received and helped put us on the map.”