£5,000 of urgent church repairs have been supported by a coronation afternoon tea.

Residents held a coronation afternoon tea celebration at Matfen Hall Hotel and Spa to raise funds for repairs at Holy Trinity Church in Matfen village. 

The church and churchyard closed following an inspection that revealed the need for emergency work to be carried out to the Spire after corrosion on a metal pole was discovered.

The afternoon tea event, held at the Orangery at Matfen Hall Hotel on Saturday, May 6, marked the Coronation of King Charles III.

Hexham Courant: Food served at the afternoon tea eventFood served at the afternoon tea event (Image: Supplied)

Guests attending enjoyed an afternoon tea of traditional finger sandwiches, including Coronation Chicken and a first outing of the King’s Coronation Quiche. All were served alongside fresh scones with Matfen Jam and clotted cream plus handmade cakes and pastries.

In addition to ticket sales, Matfen Hall Hotel and Spa covered the costs of the event and donated all bar takings to the church repairs.

The Harrison Foundation, a family charity, also donated. 

Reverend Rachel Scheffer from Holy Trinity church at Matfen said: “The coronation celebration event was a huge success.

"Everyone had a wonderful time and I’m truly grateful to everybody who attended as well as Matfen Hall Hotel and Spa for hosting us and the Harrison Foundation for their generous donation. The money raised will move us a step closer to being able to carry out these urgent repairs and reopen the church and churchyard for local people.” 

Daniel Harrison, a trustee of the Harrison Foundation, said: “While Saturday’s Coronation was a national event, our afternoon tea celebrations at Matfen Hall Hotel and Spa showed that it had a very local impact that has raised vital funds to support the repairs needed at Holy Trinity. My family and I are only too happy to support Reverend Scheffer and this wonderful community asset.”

Matfen Hall Hotel and Spa commercial director, James O’Donnell, added: “We were delighted to host the coronation afternoon tea at Matfen Hall for such a great cause and for such wonderful local people. The weather was great, the food was outstanding as ever and all our guests enjoyed a fantastic get together. We decided to donate all takings from the event so that repairs to Holy Trinity can be completed as soon as possible.”