Southoe & Midloe Community Hub

16/10/2026

29/09/2026

We are delighted to post the final video in the series of 6 which has tracked the creation of the Southoe and Midloe Community Hub since November 2025.

The video records the very successful launch day on September 12th and shows lots of shots of the interior of Southoe Church now that the Hub is completed.

At the beginning and at the end you will see details of how the space can be hired. There will be one week - October 12th to October 16th when the church will closed for the installation of the new electrical heating system - but it will be ready for Quiz Night on October 17th.

Thanks to everyone who has taken part in the videos and sent in photographs of the project week by week.

Here is the email to make contact regarding hiring the hub:

[email protected].

26/09/2026

Great News!

Following the amazing opening ceremony of the Southoe and Midloe Community Hub on September 12th, we can now announce that work to introduce the new heating system begins on Monday October 12th and will be completed by Friday October 16th.

The electrical heating system is being installed by Herschel Infrared Limited and replaces the old oil boiler and convector heaters. The removal of the oil boiler and tank meant that the super new facilities in the tower base could be installed.

The heating scheme in the nave also incorporates new LED lights.

The new system complements the solar panels which were added as part of the Hub Project on the south side of the building.

The church will be out of bounds during the week commencing October 12th but will be up and running for Quiz Night on October 17th.

The electrical heating scheme is being funded by the Church of England New Zero Boiler Replacement Fund ( £38,804.33) and the Lottery Community Fund ( £19, 464.00) plus some money from fund raising. We are very grateful to the two grant making bodies and to everyone who has supported all the aspects of this project.

18/09/2026

And an article from National Churches Trust…

18/09/2026

From the page of Ben Obese- Jecty

Opening Southoe’s new Community Hub

It was a real privilege to be asked to open the Southoe and Midloe Community Hub.

St Leonard’s Church is a 900-year old Grade 1 listed church in the heart of Southoe. The church has been the centre of worship for local residents but unfortunately the congregations, over time, have dwindled and with the cost of upkeep, concern was raised on how to keep the building alive. Since 2020 a small group of village volunteers and members of the Parochial Church Council have been working to create The Southoe & Midloe Community Hub Project Group to change its fortunes.

With the support of local residents, the approval of the Diocese of Ely together and raising funds through local fund-raising quizzes, plant sales, afternoon teas and with the help of grant making bodies including £245k from the Hertitage Lottery Fund.

The space is a fantastic use of a community asset and shows not only what can be achieved but also how to keep our churches thriving as community assets that can be used by everyone.

13/09/2026

The moment the ribbon was cut by Ben Obese-Jecty MP and a new era for the village church building began!

12/09/2026

The red ribbon about to be cut by Ben Obese-Jecty MP, a view of the interior of the church newly refurbished and a picture of one of the two new toilets in the tower base.

Someone counted 150 people or so at the opening event with delicious refreshments and drinks and some fun activities for children.

Brittany Archibald, senior manager of the Midland and East National Lottery Heritage Fund spoke at the opening. The Fund had granted £245,080.00 towards all of the works along with several other grant making bodies and generous donations from local people.

12/09/2026

Bells ring out from the tower of Southoe Church before the cutting of the red ribbon across the South Porch door by local MP Ben Obese- Jecty.

20/06/2026

Lots more progress with the project this last week.

Here are some pictures of the fitting out of the tower base to include two toilets, the ringers' staircase and the glass balustrade fitted at the end of this week on June 19th.

The Southoe porch ramp is also well advanced now with some tidying up of laid tiles still to do.

The large nave floor with its new wooden joists and floor boards is nearing completion with the original tiling being reused to form an aisle.

Electrical works and plumbing are also scheduled for next week.

The new flexible wooden chairs have been ordered and a date has been set for a celebration of the new facilities - see the poster that has been produced for the September 12th event!

Thank you to everyone who has supported this project over the years - its been a long and complex journey but very fruitful journey!

And to all of the many grant making bodies who have supported it, not least the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

15/06/2026

Next quiz night in aid of the Hub Project coming up soon....