T’S best known as the last resting place of Britain’s most famous nurse, Florence Nightingale.

Now worshippers and church leaders are preparing to the mark the 800th anniversary of St Margaret’s Church at East Wellow with a series of celebratory events.

Built at the time of Magna Carta – the Great Charter of Civic Liberties signed by King John in 1215 – St Margaret of Antioch’s is a focal point for the nursing profession and every year people from around the globe make the pilgrimage to the Hampshire church to remember Florence Nightingale on the Sunday closest to her birthday, May 12, for a special service.

Florence grew up in Wellow and was buried in the churchyard when she died in August 1910.

Wellow resident and Hampshire County Council leader Roy Perry will launch the celebrations at the church with the opening of an exhibition on March 7.

This includes parishioners’ and Wellow Primary School pupils’ work, along with Hampshire Collegiate School and Wellow History Society’s contributions to the celebrations.

One highlight of the celebrations, which include a flower festival and charity fun run, will be a special anniversary service on July 26 attended by the Bishop of Winchester, the Right Rev Tim Dakin.

Looking ahead to the celebratory year, the vicar of Wellow, Chris Pettet, said: “Our vision for 2015 is to celebrate the part that St Margaret’s Church has played within the community of Wellow over the past 800 years.

“We will do this through a historical exhibition, community activities such as a midsummer fair and fun run, a village concert, medieval-style banquet and a special service with the Bishop of Winchester. There is also a lecture by Michael Wood, the historian.”

He added: “I am privileged to be the vicar of St Margaret’s Church during this significant anniversary year.

“Of course, we want to look back and celebrate what the church has meant to the community of Wellow over so many centuries, but we wouldn’t want to stop there.

“In the Diocese of Winchester we, like other Christians all over the world, seek to be ‘living the mission of Jesus’ and what that means for us is a continuing life of prayer, worship and engagement with the community wherever we find it, from schools to care homes to things like our Messy Church for children.”