Modern technology has been a blessing for an historic East Hampshire church as an exciting project with Portsmouth University has brought its incredible story to life.

St Hubert’s Idsworth is one of Hampshire’s oldest – and most picturesque – churches with a history than spans nearly a millennium.

But its Parochial Church Council have also embraced the 21st century as visitors can watch a 20-minute film about its rich and fascinating story by scanning a QR code.

The film is the result of a collaborative project between the PCC and the University of Portsmouth Heritage Hub.

It looks into the rich history of its location and present church building with its nationally important wall paintings, while delving into its landscape, archaeology, people, usage and conservation.

The story covers 3,000 years since the Iron Age and describes historical events, shows artefacts, and details some of the changes over the centuries.

It also highlights some of the people involved in its history – including a king and a queen – and how the “Little Church on the Field” by the Petersfield to Havant railway continues to serve the community today.

This dramatic "Brief Encounter" picture of St Hubert's Idsworth by Garrick Palmer featured in a previous art exhibition. The church is one of Hampshire’s oldest

Figures from the church and university were at the launch event at St Hubert’s with John Bannall, churchwarden and project lead along with Dr Tarek Teba, calling the scheme another milestone in its history.

The former said: “Although we have been working on this for the last 12 months, it has been so enjoyable that it seems no time at all since a small working group met for the first time here at St Hubert’s to discuss initial ideas.”

“There are so many people to thank for helping us to bring this project to fruition.”

The Chichester & District Archaeology Society, Rowlands Castle History & Heritage and the South Downs National Park Authority helped with content, while the Portsmouth University team brought it all together.

The Friends of the Church of St Hubert Idsworth and the Rowlands Castle Association helped to finance the project with Revd Joy Windsor, Priest in Charge of the Benefice of Blendworth, Chalton and Idsworth, lauding the results and partnership.

St Hubert Idsworth Interior
The interior of St Hubert Church. The paintings inside the Idsworth church are nationally important. (Tindle)

She said: “This has been a wonderful project which has been planned, financed and delivered by people who love St Hubert’s for all who love to worship at, or visit, St Hubert’s.

“It is a real milestone in the continuing life and history of this very special church.”

Dr Teba, Associate Professor in Architectural Heritage at the University of Portsmouth, said: “This collaboration reflects our commitment to contribute to local heritage and communities.

“The project demonstrates the significant contribution of creative practices, filmmaking on this occasion, to heritage interpretation, development and community engagement.

“The film aims, and has the capacity, to raise awareness and communicate key narratives of this significant historic site to local, national and international audiences.”

The church is open from 9am to 4pm daily until March 31 with services every Sunday at 9.30pm unless otherwise stated. For more details visit about services and the church visit www.bcichurches.org.uk