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Challenges for Welsh Church Buildings HRB Alliance 13 th June 2012 Alex Glanville – Head of P roperty Services

Challenges for Welsh Church Buildings HRB Alliance 13 th June 2012 Alex Glanville – Head of P roperty Services. Facts. Anglican province in Wales Dis-established in 1920 1420 church buildings in use C.1000 are listed buildings

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Challenges for Welsh Church Buildings HRB Alliance 13 th June 2012 Alex Glanville – Head of P roperty Services

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  1. Challenges for Welsh Church Buildings HRB Alliance 13th June 2012 Alex Glanville – Head of Property Services

  2. Facts • Anglican province in Wales • Dis-established in 1920 • 1420 church buildings in use • C.1000 are listed buildings • 29% of the Grade 1 Listed buildings of Wales are owned by the Church in Wales • 1200 churchyards (mostly burial grounds)

  3. The Church in Wales

  4. Challenge 1: Skills • Churches are managed by local volunteers • Training and guidance is developing esp. through HLF/Cadw funded Church Heritage and Conservation Officer • No in-house architectural expertise • Reliance on external professionals • No in-house knowledge • Need to support parishes more directly

  5. Challenge 2: Redundant Churches • Approximately 20 churches closed per year • Dire predictions – redundancy tsunami! • Twice as many buildings as we need? • Need for earlier intervention • Explore ideas and possible alternatives • Traditionally, ‘close and flog’ • Looking at using buildings to generate a return – managing directly or indirectly • New skills and thinking • Role of wider community

  6. Challenge 3: Regeneration • Too few people not too many churches? • Encouraging new uses which involve people • Community engagement – how good are we at it in reality? • Less about control more about sharing • Resources to support new thinking • Encouraging Enterprising Churches Award scheme • Loads of innovative thinking from ‘ageing’, ‘shrinking’ congregations – humbling and inspiring!

  7. Challenge 4: Enterprise • We have buildings and people – two essentials for business • We do not consider business opportunities • Opportunities for partnerships, franchises and leases – but we need knowledge and confidence • Holiday accommodation, cafes, art galleries - all being explored • Be prepared to invest for a return – think like an investor

  8. Challenge 5: Burial Grounds • In 10 years, two-thirds will be full • No right to transfer to local authorities on closure • Controlled fees (Welsh Government) • A burden but a key part of ministry – tension • Bio-diversity challenge • Can be a neutral place where church and non church can unite • Carbon offset!

  9. Challenge 6: Connections • Sector is not well coordinated in Wales • No single voice – establish an HRB alliance feeder group? • Key partner is Welsh Government rather than Westminster (except marriage law, VAT, Gift Aid, exhumation, general law) • Ideas around a Welsh Trust to support places of worship with NCT (fundraising, profile, ?redundant buildings)

  10. Contact Alex Glanville Head of Property Services Church in Wales 39 Cathedral Road Cardiff CF11 9XF Tel: 029 2034 8212 Email: alexglanville@churchinwales.org.uk www.churchinwales.org.uk

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