HISTORIC RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS ALLIANCE (HRBA)
MARCH 2013 E-NEWSLETTER
 
We aim by the end of this year to have five hundred subscribers to this e-newsletter - and we're well on the way. Can you help? - please alert anyone who might appreciate receiving it on a regular basis. They can sign up to receive their own copy– free – at our website www.hrballiance.org.uk.
 
We rely on other parties for much of the contents and wording of these items. Mistakes and misunderstandings can occur, and if you wish to use any items, 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 Tuesday 26 March 2013. Please email Becky Payne at HRB@theheritagealliance.org.uk
 
THE HRBA
1.Your support
This newsletter is free. But if you personally or your organisation would like to support and encourage this and our other work, why not become a subscribing member? Details are on our website.
 
2.Top tips: from our recent event, Managing Major Buildings Projects in Places of Worship
Our first ever training event, held on 21 February, was very successful, with some 90 people present. The subject was managing major building projects in places of worship. Why not dip into the top tips provided by the main speakers.
 
There were sessions on starting up and planning ahead, managing the building works, fund-raising, keeping everyone on board and setting up longer term structures. There were also presentations from three places of worship who had recently completed major projects. Our thanks to the Lewis Carroll Centre (the extension to All Saints, Daresbury) where the training day was held, for hosting us and providing a delicious lunch.

The day was organized by us here at the HRBA, in partnership with, and with significant financial support from, PurcellUK.  As this was our first such event, we have paid special attention to the feedback, which was very largely positive, and HRBA are investigating with PurcellUK the opportunity of organising a second event in the South. Watch this space.
 
EVENTS
3. Reminder: Church and Schools Sustainability exhibition: 6 March 2013
This event is on 6 March 2013 at the Kings House Conference Centre, Sidney St, Manchester M1 7HB. Run by the Diocese of Manchester (CofE), this event offers the opportunity to discover how to save money, time and energy while caring for people and the environment. Designed for churches and schools, the event is a chance to network with exhibitors & suppliers with free seminars available. For more information go to http://www.manchester.anglican.org/events/2925/sustainability-exhibition
 
4. 'Faith in Maintenance': organised by Inspired North-East: Wednesday 6 March 2013
A one-day workshop on the maintenance of places of worship, aimed at churchwardens and others who care for them. To be held at the parish church, Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham. Details here.

5. 'Buildings for mission': organised by Inspired North-East, Friday 15 March 2013
To be held at Houghton-le-Spring parish church, Co. Durham, the day  is aimed at helping clergy, lay leaders, architects and others to think creatively about the future of church buildings. Topics to be covered include ‘Buildings for Ministry and Mission’, ‘Understanding your building’s past and caring for its future’, ‘Seeing your building’s potential’ and ‘Tools for Action’, including Community Audits, Statements of Significance and Need, and fundraising. There will also be an opportunity in the afternoon to divide up into discussion workshop groups to focus in more in depth on a choice of North East case studies. This is a joint event between Durham and Newcastle Dioceses and is co-hosted with the Centre for Christianity and Culture at the University of York. Details here.

6. 'Buildings for mission', organised by the Anglican diocese of York: Saturday 16 March 2013
A practical training day, to be held at St Peter's church, Norton on Derwent. The morning and afternoon can be booked separately. Covers 'Re-ordering for worship', 'Seeing your building's potential', 'Interpreting your building for all', 'Creating a statement of significance'. Details here.

7. Repair grants workshop, looking at HLF grants, organised by Inspired North-East: Wednesday 20 March 2013
Running from 10.00 to 12.30 in North Shields. A new repair grant regime applies from January 2013, and this is now operated by the Heritage Lottery Fund (rather than English Heritage as in previous years). HLF will explain the new Repair Grants to Places of Worship Scheme (available only to listed places of worship) and other grant programmes which are open for application by all places of worship. Details here.

8. The Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust’s Spring Conference: 23 March 2013
This annual conference is being held on Saturday 23 March 2013  at The Lee Hall, Wolfson College, Cambridge CB3 9BB from 10.00am to 4.30pm. This year’s theme is ‘Dissent’ which will provide an opportunity to probe the origins and development of dissenting movements in Eastern England and to consider the heritage of dissent. For further information please visit http://www.cambshistoricchurchestrust.co.uk/conference.htm
 
9. The works of Faith-Craft: 6 April 2013
The Society of the Faith is holding a one-day symposium on Saturday 6 April 2013 in Harrow on the works of Faith-Craft, the church furnishing branch of the Society of the Faith which, together with the Warham Guild, was one of a number of companies specialising in the fixtures and fittings required by the catholic wing of Anglicanism, trading between c.1910 and 1974. Details at www.societyofthefaith.org.uk/about/faith-craft-symposium
 
10. ‘Building Friends’ – an information day about Friends’ Groups for churches: 16 April 2013
This event is on Tuesday 16th April, St George’s Bloomsbury, London from 10am–2pm. The event will cover why Friends Groups are a good way of getting more people involved with a church building, what they are, what they can do for a parish and how to go about setting one up, and how they can help increase the flow of funding to a church. Open to everyone and attendance is free. More information at www.churchcare.co.uk/about-us/our-events/friends-groups-diocese-of-london
 
11. Reminder: ‘Small Things – Big Difference’: a church tourism conference at Leominster Priory on 25 April 2013
Hereford Diocese is holding a major Church Tourism Festival at Leominster Priory Church, on 25 April, 2013 from 9.30am to 4pm. There will be the opportunity to learn more about how a church can attract and look after visitors through a variety of workshops (to be held in other nearby heritage buildings) , including Visitor Welcome, Improving Disability Access, Church Security, Parish Stories and Case Studies, Promoting and Marketing Your Church, How to research Family History, and Caring For Gods Acre. Cost is £45 (or £30 for Herefordshire and Shropshire Churches Tourism Group members) to include lunch and drinks throughout the day. Details here.
 
12. Reminder: ‘Piety in Peril’: one- day seminar on Friday 26 April 2013
This Society of Antiquaries sponsored seminar will focus on current issues of conservation for medieval parish churches in England. The seminar will be held at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BE. Registration costs £20 per person and includes lunch and refreshments. Speakers from the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, Church Buildings Council, National Churches Trust, Churches Conservation Trust, Church Monuments Society, and the Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust. For further information go to http://www.sal.org.uk/newsandevents/pietyinperilseminar
 
13. 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 series continues with: 6 March: Matthew Festing – ‘The Order of Malta in Pre-Reformation England’. The events will also lead towards the publication of a volume called the treasures of Ushaw.  Visit: http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/durhamuni/centrecathstudieslectures.php
 
NEWS
14. 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 for refund of VAT incurred on both repairs and alterations to listed places of worship. Under the new arrangements payments are being made monthly instead of quarterly.
 
15. Scrap Metal Bill due to become law
The Scrap Metal Dealers Bill cleared its final legislative hurdle in the House of Lords on February 12 and now goes forward for Royal Assent.

The Bill will introduce effective regulation of the Scrap Metal Trade and finally ends anonymous access to cash for scrap metal. The regulation called for has been given in the Act, consolidating cashless trading, a licensing system, a national register of scrap yards and compulsory taking of identification at the point of sale. The police will have powers of entry to enforce the new regulations and to close yards where illegal activity is suspected. To read the full text of the bill visit http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2012-13/scrapmetaldealers.html
 
16.  News from Heritage Lottery Fund
a. Rochester Cathedral
The Heritage Lottery Fund confirmed funding of £11m for four imaginative schemes to enhance and open up historic sites including Rochester Cathedral, which was awarded £3.6m. The Cathedral attracts over 150,000 visitors each year. The conservation project will focus on the crypt, library and cathedral collections and the creation of additional exhibition and educational spaces, and an activity and outreach programme and new volunteer opportunities will help get more local people involved in this magnificent building. Read more here.
 
b. Listed places of worship
At the end of January, HLF announced a total of £15m worth of grants for 152 listed grade I and II* places of worship to help carry out urgent structural repairs. This money comes from the ongoing Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme. Read more here.
 
c. ‘Our Heritage’ funding scheme launched
This week saw the launch of Our Heritage  – a successor of the Your Heritage programme – which funds projects with grants of £10,000–£100,000. Many historic places of worship have applied successfully for grants under the old ‘Your Heritage’ scheme.
 
d. Catalyst heritage small grants scheme
The Catalyst heritage small-grants scheme offers grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 to enable heritage organisations to build their fundraising capacity and develop innovative new approaches to securing funding, whether from corporate sponsorship, private giving or the donation of volunteering hours. There are two opportunities to apply for a Catalyst Heritage grant, with closing dates of 19 April 2013 and 16 August 2013.
 
17. Social activity by churches
a. A new survey of Church of England led Social Action
A new study by the Church Urban Fund (January 2013) has highlighted the community roles performed by the Church of England’s churches. The report shows how churches are stepping in to plug gaps in the provision of vital services in communities across England. Read more here: http://www.cuf.org.uk/church-action
 
b.  Churches and community involvement: new survey
Another recent survey has again highlighted how many manhours of social action are provided by churches of all denominations. Compared with the results two years ago, food distribution has become more common. The survey was carried out by Jubilee+ and the results can be found on their website, here.
 
Personal comment on these items. Despite survey after survey drawing attention to the very large amount of social action being carried out by congregations, some policy makers have still not got the message – that listed places of worship are not only beautiful historic artefacts, but have deep value as living buildings, providing for those voluntary communities who look after the buildings a home-base from which to support wider society. On a more practical point, in the last decade or so lots of similar surveys have been done, all showing much the same, and I have no doubt someone, somewhere is planning and fundraising for another survey as I write: I do wish it were possible to pool resources for this sort of work - and even more importantly, to work together to promulgate the results. If you have any thoughts on these matters, do let me know. Trevor Cooper, Chair, HRBA hrbchair@theheritagealliance.org.uk

OF INTEREST
18. Heritage Open Days Training
After a successful year in 2012, the Heritage Open Days team will be bringing their expertise to volunteers across the country with a series of free training forums, helping local people consider creative ways to bring their activities to life. Sessions will run from 11am–4pm and will provide practical guidance on making events more inclusive on a budget, interactive, hands-on activities with an expert accessibility practitioner and the opportunity to share ideas, questions and best practice. For more information, https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/uploads/_document-library/Forums_2013_web_version.pdf
 
19. Chancel Repair Liability raised in Parliament
This item is specific to Church of England churches.
 
On 5 February, Peter Luff MP for Mid Worcestershire asked Tony Baldry (Second Church Estates Commissioner; MP for Banbury), what assessment he had made of the efficacy of the steps being taken to draw the attention of parishes and dioceses to advice available on the need to regulate church repair liability. He replied:
‘The general position with regard to chancel repair liability is now a good deal clearer and more satisfactory than it has previously been. Following discussion with the Charity Commission in the light of the Broadway case, the Commission has now given general advice—available on its website—which explains that chancel repair liability need not be enforced or registered in every case. Instead, PCC members must actively consider whether it should be registered and enforced, taking account of their PCC’s particular circumstances to reach a decision. The guidance goes on to provide a helpful framework for taking decisions on these questions. The other significant development is the statement from the Heritage Lottery Fund (which will take over the grants repair scheme for places of worship in April). They will not encourage PCCs to pursue chancel repair liability where it is unreasonable for them to do so. These two developments should make is much less difficult for PCCs when it comes to balancing their responsibilities as charity trustees with their responsibility to support the Church’s mission’.
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2013-02-05a.141276.h&s=heritage#g141276.r0
 
20. Metal Marking pilot started on church in Northampton
Northampton’s Guildhall and St Peter’s Church, Marefair, a church in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust, are to trial a new permanent metal marking technology in a bid to combat metal theft. Their lead roofs have been engraved with markings that can be seen by the naked eye. If stolen, the markings would allow police to identify the origin of the metal when it is seized. The system has been developed with the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining, an organisation that develops materials technologies. It is being piloted in Northamptonshire on the advice of English Heritage because the area had seen significant metal theft. Read more here.
 
21. Reminder:  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. This is a multi-denominational, interfaith event and any place of worship of any period is welcomed to participate. Churches have to agree to be open to visitors on Ride+Stride Saturday. They also have to find as many people as possible to get sponsored for visiting them. The sponsorship money raised is then shared 50/50 between a local grant-giver that assists historic churches and the individual church of your choice.
Now is the time for churches in London to register their interest in taking part. There is more information available on the Diocese of London’s website, but all denominations are welcome.
 
22. 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/ You can also read material from the November Conference held in Venice where the theme was ‘Extended use for religious heritage’. http://www.futurereligiousheritage.eu/conference-november-2012/ We understand the second General Meeting of members will take place in November 2013, in Utrecht in the Netherlands, and will align with a seminar on religious heritage objects in partnership with the Museum Catharijneconvent. More details on the FRH website.
 
23. TripAdvisor Awards 2013
TripAdvisor users included several places of worship in their UK’s Most Recommended World Heritage Sites (details here). Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire came first in the list, but the top ten list included Durham Castle and Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral,  Westminster Abbey and St Margaret’s Church.
 
24. Monitoring endangered wildlife in churchyards
The People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) have called on the Church of England to support a new survey, launched on February 1, monitoring the decline of the British hedgehog. The Hedgehog Hibernation survey aims to find out more about the creature’s patterns of behaviour, which in turn will help inform practical conservation action. Working with Shrinking the Footprint, the CofE’s national environmental campaign, the charities believe the CofE’s 10,000 churchyards could be natural homes for hedgehogs who will soon be coming out of hibernation. Visit http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/
 
25. Frustration with slow rate of progress on bats in churches
The Churchcare website has recently posted a piece expressing frustration with the slow rate of progress of dealing with the issue of bats in churches. Sir Tony Baldry, MP, has said that ‘Leaving interpretation of the law on bat conservation largely to the BCT [the Bat Conservation Trust] is bringing the European Habitats Directive into disrepute to the detriment of endangered species more generally’. The Bat Conservation Trust website is here.
 
26. Possible Historic Environment Climate Change Adaptation Group
The Church of England and English Heritage are proposing to set up a Historic Environment Climate Change Adaptation Group. (Adaptation in the sense of anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate action to prevent or minimise the damage these effects can cause.) The group would define broad areas of consensus and help ensure that the historic environment is considered appropriately during future planning, for example by Defra as part of its National Adaptation Programme. If your organisation would like to explore this further, contact ruth.knight@churchofengland.org who can provide further details.
 
FUNDING AND FUND-RAISING
27. Lloyds Banking Group Social Entrepreneurs Programme – 2013 Round Open
The Lloyds Banking Group has launched a new round of its Social Entrepreneurs Programme which aims to support community-focused projects across the UK. The programme comprises the following support strands:

• Start Up – For those who are in the early stage development of a project or organisation. This programme will support personal development and business skills development to help turn projects or project ideas into a reality.
• Scale Up – For established organisations that are looking to take their operations to the next level. This programme will equip applicants with the tools to develop their enterprise further and maximise its social impact.

http://www.the-sse.org/schools/26/lloyds-banking-group-social-entrepreneurs-programme
 
28. Funding Central
Reminder: Funding Central is a free website for charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. It lists thousands of funding and finance opportunities, plus a wealth of tools and information supporting you to develop a sustainable income strategy. http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/
 
29. Inventive fundraising with Lincoln Cathedral
An image of Lincoln Cathedral has been added to the sides of a large lorry trailer, and will be taken around Europe. The lorry, called Lincoln Lorry, will be trackable on Twitter. The lorry will be fundraising for the Cathedral’s southwest turret repair fund, as the owner, Peter Denby, has pledged 1p for every mile the Lincoln Lorry travels in its first 12 months. See http://lincolncathedral.com/visit-us/lincoln-lorry/
 
30. Grants for conservation of manuscripts
The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust offers grants for the conservation and preservation of manuscripts and archives. The next deadline for the submission of applications is 1st April 2013. For more information and to apply, please click here.
 
AWARDS
31. Sandford Heritage Awards for Heritage Education – Nominations now open for 2013
Sandford Award is an independently judged, quality assured assessment of education programmes at heritage sites, museums, archives and collections. Owners and managers of sites where special provision has been made for visits for formal and/or informal education of visitors are invited to apply.For the criteria and to nominate a site, please click here http://www.sandfordaward.org/4/How_to_Apply/
 
32. Abergavenny church wins national guide book award
St Mary’s Priory, Abergavenny, has been awarded first prize in a new nationwide competition to find the church guide with the best coverage of its monuments. The £500 prize was handed over at a special event at the church on 16 February 2013 by Sally Badham, President of the Church Monuments Society. For details, see: http://www.churchmonumentssociety.org/CMS_News.html
 
RESOURCES and PUBLICATIONS
33. Resources from the Heritage Alliance’s ‘Engaging Places’ workshops
The Heritage Alliance’s series of workshops, Engaging Places, was aimed at fostering a closer relationships between schools and heritage assets. The workshops have now finished, but for those unable to attend, all the relevant presentations and notes have been published on the Alliance website here.

34. Guides to Gift Aid etc
The charity Stewardship has published a series of PDF guides about the changes to the Gift Aid donation scheme that come into force in 2013. This includes Gift Aid changes for this year, the upcoming Charities Online service, and a technical paper and practical guide to the Small Donations Scheme.

35. Heritage Works relaunched
Those planning on refurbishing a heritage asset in their community can refer to Heritage Works, the comprehensive toolkit on the use of historic buildings in regeneration. The guide aims to be a ‘first-stop’ reference document, containing practical step-by-step advice for developers, owners, local authorities and advisers as well as ways of overcoming common pitfalls. This updated edition takes into account new national planning policy guidance and provides new case study evidence to show how heritage-based regeneration can work in practice. Visit: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/heritage-works/
 
36. Presentation on Friends Groups
A presentation on Friends Group from a workshop led by Rhodri Evans from the National Churches Trust is available here. The material was presented in 2011, but still appears relevant and useful.

VACANCIES
37. Senior Cathedrals Officer and Deputy Secretary of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England (Church of England)
The main duties of the post are:

• Supporting the Cathedrals Fabric Commission in discharging its statutory responsibilities and other duties under the Care of Cathedrals Measure
• Organising and managing the Commission’s 8 annual meetings, overseeing casework, site visits and reports, and ensuring robust advice-giving processes are in place
• Leading the cathedrals team in advocacy, fundraising and grant making activities, and contributing to the wider work of the Division in support of the Church’s built heritage

Closing date 11 March 2013. Please mention you saw the vacancy mentioned in the HRBA e-newsletter. Details here.

 
The deadline for information to go in the next e-newsletter is Tuesday 26 March 2013, though earlier submissions are encouraged! Please email me at HRB@theheritagealliance.org.uk
 
Becky Payne
HRBA Development Officer
28^th February 2013