HISTORIC RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS ALLIANCE (HRBA)
JANUARY 2013 E-NEWSLETTER
 
We wish all our readers a happy and satisfying New Year.
 
Can you help? During the coming year we are keen to do all we can to extend the reach of this e-newsletter. Do you know anyone, or a group of people, who would find it useful? – if so, please do let them know about it. People can, of course, sign up to receive their own copy in future – free – at our website www.hrballiance.org.uk/
 
We rely on other parties for much of the contents and wording of the items in the e-newsletter. Mistakes and misunderstandings can occur, and if you wish to use items in this e-newsletter, you should always check the accuracy and current position with the original source.
 
The deadline for information to go in the next e-newsletter is Wednesday 30th January 2013. Please email Becky Payne at HRB@theheritagealliance.org.uk
 
THE HRBA
1. Your support
This newsletter is free. But if you would like to support and encourage this and our other work, why not become a subscribing member? Details are on our website.
 
2. FORTHCOMING: Managing Major Buildings Projects in Places of Worship on 21 February 2013
This training day is taking place at All Saints Church (the ‘Lewis Carroll church’), Daresbury, Cheshire, and is being organized by us here at the HRBA, in partnership with, and with significant financial support from, PurcellUK.
 
Further details about the day and how to book can be found at www.hrballiance.org.uk/ on the News page. Anyone who would benefit from the day is welcome to attend. Please publicise this day around your network (and perhaps you would like to come?).
 
This is a new venture for the HRBA. If this pilot is successful, the intention is to run similar events in other regions.
 
In summary, the day is intended to help with the management of all stages of a building project in a place of worship, from start up through to making sure benefits are achieved over the long term. It is aimed at those concerned with places of worship of all sizes, types and location, and will be relevant both to new build, alterations and repairs. Although focusing on projects of a significant size, many of the principles apply in simplified form to smaller projects, and the day should be useful whatever the size of project being considered. It will be useful both to those who are directly responsible for a single project in a single building, and those who have an oversight role for a number of religious buildings.
 
EVENTS
December was a quiet period for notification of new events . . .
3. REMINDER: Ushaw Lecture Series
As part of the effort to raise awareness of the nationally-important holdings at the former seminary at Ushaw – including documents from the period of Catholic persecution and rare first edition books – the Centre is arranging a series of lectures. The lecture series is continuing in 2013, with topics including the Pugin architecture of Ushaw and its silver, before a major conference on Early Modern Catholicism is held at the college next summer. The events will also lead towards the publication of a book about the treasures of Ushaw. To find out more go here.
 
NEWS
4. Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS)
Repeat notice: A reminder that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme website has now been updated to reflect the new arrangements (to refund VAT incurred on alterations to listed places of worship). You can also find out from the front page the value of claims received and paid each quarter.
 
5. Heritage Lottery Fund – new grant programme for places of worship, and other grant programmes
On 14 December, HLF launched its new grant programmes for places of worship In England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Island. There have been some changes from previous similar grant schemes, so please read on.
As previously, the priority remains structural repairs urgently required within the next two years that have been clearly identified and defined in a condition survey such as a Quinquennial Inspection.
This new programme is also designed to encourage more people and a wider range of people to take an interest in places of worship and to help care for it in the future. The HLF hope to achieve this by finding new ways in which places of worship can be used by the wider community beyond the primary function of worship and/or by providing new opportunities for people to find out about the heritage of places of worship.
The HLF will also fund new capital works, such as toilets or kitchens, improvements to heating or electrical systems, other works to improve energy efficiency, and works to assist with the on-going maintenance of the place of worship.
Decisions are made four times a year by local Committees. The first deadlines for submission at the end of February 2013 for the first Committee meeting being held in June.
To read the full guidelines go to: http://www.hlf.org.uk/HowToApply/programmes/Pages/Grants_places_worship.aspx

Other grant schemes
Remember that all HLF main funding streams are open to places of worship and through these the HLF considers grant applications for a wide range of heritage projects, activities and events, including:

• work to protect and hand on what people value most, such as conservation work for organs, bells, clocks, paintings, stained glass, textiles and monuments;
• projects which help people to learn about heritage, such as creating a guide book or exhibition inside the church or digital projects to create online videos and websites;
• projects that help people to be more involved with the heritage of their churches.

6. Public parks and historic cemeteries to receive £100million funding
The Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund have announced grants totalling £100million over the next three years to support a revised Parks for People programme – including money for local engagement and to protect historic cemeteries. Grants will range from £100,000 to £5million, with HLF committing over £70million and BIG giving £30million up to 2016.
 
7. BIG Assist programme for voluntary infrastructure organisations etc
If you are a voluntary organisation or social enterprise, who mainly supports other organisations, you can now apply to get help with strategy and change, financial sustainability, innovation, marketing and more. The BIG Assist programme helps strengthen infrastructure organisations through a diagnostic and voucher scheme, as well as a collaborative peer to peer community to help improve their services for the benefit of the whole sector. Find out more on the BIG Assist website.
 
8. Faith Tourism Action Plan for Wales
Churches Tourism Network, Wales (CTNW) has been asked by the Welsh Government to write a Faith Tourism Action Plan. It is expected that this will be part of Visit Wales’ new strategy informing their work from 2013-2020. CTNW is unaware of any other country which has formally acknowledged the place of Faith Tourism within its strategic thinking. More here: http://www.ctnw.co.uk/
 
9. Five years of additional spend announced for the gift aid small donations scheme
The autumn statement delivered on 5 December outlined plans to spend more money on the new gift aid small donations scheme than originally announced.
Reminder: the gift aid small donations scheme (GASDS) will give many charities access to up to £1,250 from government for up to £5,000 of small cash donations (those up to £20) received in any year. The scheme passed through the House of Commons late last month and is set to come into force in April 2013.
 
10. Many historic buildings will not require Energy Performance Certificate
Thanks to a lot of work by the Church of England, English Heritage, the National Trust and others, it has been recognised by the Department of Energy and Climate Change that many historic buildings will find it difficult to meet the requirements of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). From 9 January 2013, the following types of buildings will not require an EPC:
• buildings and monuments officially protected as part of a designated environment or because of special architectural or historic merit in so far as compliance with certain energy efficiency requirements would unacceptably alter character or appearance
• buildings used as places of worship and for religious activities
 
The full details can be read at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-the-energy-efficiency-of-our-buildings
 
11. Church metal thefts down as roof alarm numbers grow following campaign
Ecclesiastical insurance group have announced a dramatic fall in the number of insurance claims for the theft of lead and other valuable metals from Anglican churches. This year, between January and the end of July, they received just over 650 claims compared with more than 1,600 over the same period in 2011 – a reduction of 60%. The drop in thefts comes in the aftermath of Ecclesiastical's £500,000 campaign to fit alarms to church roofs across the country, Hands Off Our Church Roofs. Since the campaign’s launch, alarms have been fitted in over 20 Anglican dioceses across the country with hundreds of churches now alarmed in England, Scotland and Wales.
However, until there is a full picture of what’s happening, it is not certain what is affecting the level of metal theft and whether the decline is a short term aberration or a long term change in behaviour.
For more information on roof alarms please call 0845 600 9659 or visit the campaign website www.ecclesiastical.com/handsoff
 
12. Award to Chair of the Church Buildings Council of the Church of England
The Archbishop of Canterbury has presented Mrs Anne Sloman OBE, the Chair of the Church Buildings Council of the Church of England, with the Cross of St Augustine, an award which recognises exceptionally distinguished service to the Church.
 
13. Change to guidance for diocesan chancellors
In a case regarding the relocation of a chancel screen, the court revised its long-standing guidance on the balancing exercise that diocesan chancellors undertake. Details on the Churchcare website here
 
NOT REALLY NEWS
14. Daily Telegraph fills a quiet period with rural CofE churches
During the quiet period between Christmas and the New Year, the Daily Telegraph occupied some column inches with a report that the Chair of the Countryside Alliance  (Sir Barney White-Spunner) had suggested that rural Church of England parish churches should be used for community use, and should be open to use by other Christian groups. Sir Barney also suggested that those of non-Christian faiths could also be invited to use rural parish churches, though there was no discussion of the likely level of demand for this in country areas.
Personal view: No news there, one would have thought, as (except for use by non-Christian faiths) this is widely happening already, but nonetheless the Telegraph managed to spin an editorial out of it (here) and generate a few (generally supportive) letters. Unfortunately, quite where and when Sir Barney said this, and whether it is official Countryside Alliance policy or simply Sir Barney’s personal view, is unclear from the Telegraph’s report. The report did, however, lead to an interesting summary of the legal constraints on the use of CofE churches, at the excellent Law and Religion website.
 
OF INTEREST
15. London Ride and Stride 2013 – churches invited to take part
RIDE+STRIDE is a national event, but this will be only the third year that it has taken place in London, on Saturday 14 September 2013. The organisers, the Heritage of London Trust are keen to make it much bigger and better this year. The RIDE+STRIDE concept is very simple – people get sponsored to get out and about and see as many churches as possible – on foot, by bike, or even public transport. Half the money raised goes to the church of the participant’s choice, with the rest goes towards grants to help churches with urgent repairs.
The organisers are looking to have as many churches, of as many denominations as possible, involved, both to open up their church to welcome RIDE+STRIDE-rs, and for the congregation and community to take part. If you’d like to discuss this further, please contact Alice Knight at contact@heritageoflondon.com.
 
16. Economic impact of repair and maintenance work on the built heritage
A significant new Historic Buildings Study by Ecorys for HLF and English Heritage gives key statistics on the value of repair and maintenance work on the broader built heritage as well as statutorily protected built heritage assets. The study estimates that there are over 5.4 million traditional buildings in England, and that England’s built heritage sector accounts for approximately £10.6bn on total national construction output, amounting to half a million full time equivalent jobs.
 
17. Mapping Heritage Skills: new report released
A major report, Mapping Heritage Craft, on the state of the heritage crafts industry in the UK has shown that the sector generates £10.8billion annually and is projected to grow by 12% in employment terms by 2022. However, the report also shows that 77% of businesses in the heritage craft sector undertake no activities to spread their specialist knowledge outside their own workforce and that many small business owners cannot afford the time necessary to properly train apprentices.
 
18. Gorton Monastery: winner of the 2012 Heritage Alliance Heroes Awards.
The Heritage Alliance Heroes awards are presented in recognition of exceptional volunteer effort. This year, the award went to co-founder and Chairman of the Monastery of St Francis and Gorton Trust, Paul Griffiths, for his work on the ‘Return of the Saints’ project. After 16 years in storage and 8 months being restored, the 12 statues of Franciscan saints have been restored to their rightful place in the Monastery’s nave. Designed by Edward Pugin, Gorton Monastery is considered one of his finest masterpieces. It was vacated by the Franciscans in 1989 and, after a false start for a new use, was left prey to significant vandalism and theft. Following a 12 year fundraising campaign by the Trust, a total of £6.5m was raised and it now provides an event venue for conferences, weddings etc. and has contributed £3.2million to the local community.
 
19. English Heritage Guidance on Cornish Nonconformist Chapels
English Heritage, Cornwall Council and the Methodist Church have collaborated on the production of guidance to direct approaches and inform change to Cornwall’s Methodist and Nonconformist chapels. Much of the document is likely to be relevant to Nonconformist chapels elsewhere.
It is in two parts – an assessment framework, followed by illustrated guidance on the historic character and significance of chapels and the present and future issues for chapel communities.

20. Future for Religious Heritage: the European Network for historic places of worship
To find out more about this European network for historic places of worship, and to read the latest newsletter, go to the FRH website at http://www.futurereligiousheritage.eu/news/
 
AWARDS
21. The John Betjeman Memorial Award 2013 for repairs to a place of worship
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings invites entries for a competition to honour the memory of Sir John Betjeman, and to mark his membership of The Society’s Committee from 1954 to 1977. The award will be made for repair to the fabric of buildings currently in religious use and which were built as churches, chapels or other places of worship in England and Wales. The work must have been completed during the previous 18 months. The intention is to reward excellence and the highest level of conservation craftsmanship and to allow the winning repair work to be presented as an example to others. Closing date for applications is 1st March 2013 Entry forms can be downloaded from the Society’s website www.spab.org.uk
 
RESOURCES and PUBLICATIONS
22. Advice from Ecclesiastical
Ecclesiastical insurance group have updated their Church Matters website with new Winter risk management advice, an interactive form to enable churches to draw up a Health and Safety policy, and information on how churches can use digital channels to reach out to their communities.
 
23. Reflections on Church Tourism – CD-Rom
Produced by the Diocese of York, in partnership with the Churches Tourism Association (CTA), this resource offers an introduction to the philosophies and practicalities behind opening churches for visitors and tourists. There is extremely useful guidance, as well as sign-posting to other resources, and plenty of ideas and practical help to be found from the inclusion of real projects and activities from across the UK. It is can be ordered from the CTA website
 
24. Presentations from the November 2012 Churches Tourism Association Convention
The presentations from the November 2012 Churches Tourism Association (CTA) Convention are now available for download via the CTA website
 
25. Churchcare website – wide range of guidance
As part of the recent revision of the Church of England’s Churchcare website, new guidance notes have been produced on a wide range of matters, ranging from quinquennial inspection reports to churchyard memorials. The advice is here: http://www.churchcare.co.uk/churches/guidance-advice/10-churches/520-guidance-notes
 
26. The Cathedral and Church Buildings Division Winter e-bulletin
The Cathedral and Church Buildings Division of the Church of England have produced their Winter e-Bulletin which contains an update on recent activities and news. The bulletin can be read here http://www.churchcare.co.uk/.
 
27. Church furnishing wants and available items –  Church Commissioners’ Central Contents Register
This Register is issued quarterly, and contains lists of Available items from Church of England churches, and a similar list of Wanted items.There is no charge either to receive or to advertise in the Register. The Commissioners take no part in any actual transactions, and their involvement is limited to compiling and circulating the Register. If you wish to receive the Register, or a specimen copy, please contact Ms Vivienne Chick, Pastoral and Closed Churches Division, Church Commissioners at vivienne.chick@churchofengland.org
 
28. Engaging Places – help with education projects for historic places of worship
If you are thinking of developing an education project around your historic place of worship, then visit the Engaging Places website http://www.engagingplaces.org.uk/home where you will find plenty of resources and ideas.
In addition, a major new project from the Heritage Alliance has been launched, aimed at bringing together teachers, owners and historic site managers. Engaging Places will run three all-day masterclasses, with sessions on heritage’s place in the curriculum, on what teachers need from the heritage sites they visit and how educational establishments can creatively engage with the learning potential in historic buildings and places. The first masterclass will take place at Kensington Palace on 31 January 2013, followed by 6 February in York Minster and 12 February at the Peterborough Museum. For more information, click here.
 
29. Android App showing which CofE churches are open (or locked) for tourists and visitors
A new Android app (‘Keyholder’) has been developed which displays opening information for visitors and tourists to Church of England churches. The majority of churches, about 13,000, are included. Its main aim is to show which churches are open to the public during the day and which ones are locked, have keyholders or are open at certain restricted times. In addition, the app allows you to add your own information, and the app can be synchronised with a central server allowing you to share information, ratings and comments with others. The app is designed for those like to visit English parish churches for their heritage and so forth, and is not intended to provide information on service times or contact details for church officials.
There are two versions available on the Play Store. A free demo version which is very restricted and has no access to the server:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cbnewham.keyholderdemo
and the full application available for purchase at £4.99:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cbnewham.keyholder
 
VACANCIES
No vacancies this month.
 
And finally . . .
 
The deadline for information to go in the next e-newsletter is Wednesday 30th January 2013, though earlier submissions are encouraged! Please email me at HRB@theheritagealliance.org.uk
 
Becky Payne
HRBA Development Officer
31st December 2012