Hello! I’m Simon, and the project to take on and transform Old Stuckton Chapel is very much my ‘labour of love’. I have long been passionate about innovative building projects, and have undertaken major projects both commercially and with our own house near Fordingbridge.
We had been looking for a major project to allow us to build a larger family home for a while, and when I spotted Stuckton Congregational Church came on the market, I quickly feel in love with it. I particularly enjoy large, complex, long and challenging projects – and having the added angle of maintaining a wonderful history and heritage of part of my local community makes it even more meaningful.
Having moved to Fordingbridge when I was 13, I was very lucky to be given my first Saturday job at Southern Radio in Fordingbridge by Dennis Bailey, himself a local methodist preacher and originally from Cripplestyle. Dennis and I became great friends, and not only did he help nurture my career going into technology, I often enjoyed supporting him setting up audio & visual equipment and filming in the churches around Fordingbridge. Dennis put a huge amount of time into capturing the local area and community on film and video, and in his latter years he created three local history films, to which I provided him some support and authored the DVDs for him. In addition to our joint love of technology, he really ignited my interest in local history, and it feels like such a privilege to be able to be a custodian for a part such as this.
Technology is a huge passion for me, and I’m particularly interested in ‘smart buildings’ and the integration of cutting edge technology to improve energy efficiency, security, and comfort. I enjoy developing interesting and innovative systems to achieve this, and was privileged nearly 10 years ago when the BBC filmed my setup at the time. You can watch the film from the time via the video on the left. I’m hoping to have the latest generation of advanced technology in the renovated chapel!
I am very lucky to have a very understanding and supportive wife and family, who let me indulge in such a crazy project like this. Am also hugely privileged to get the support of so many people in gathering all the information, records and photographs on the history for this site. Particular thanks go to…
Ruth Daykin – For endless hours transcribing records and researching family connections.
Paul Walker (EFCC) – For enabling me to access and borrow so much information on the history of the site.
Adrian King – For sharing so much of his hard work, research and assets relating to the chapel and its community.
…and to everyone else that has given information, images, photographs, records, maps and loaned assets. Thank you!
My aim is to both continue to grow the historical information on this site, and keep it up to date with our plans and progress. If you have anything you can share relating to the chapel or its community, I would hugely value you reaching out via the contact page.