What is it?
The Church Buildings Support Network is a form of support for parishes. The aim is to bring together people who are involved in looking after church buildings, to share experiences and resources and provide encouragement and support.
Who is it for?
Anyone involved (or considering becoming involved) in looking after church buildings - volunteers, paid workers, clergy, Friends Groups etc.
How does it work?
The network started in 2024 with a series of online meetings, but will be expanding in 2025 to offer monthly online sessions alongside regular in person events. These events will all be FREE and open to everyone involved with a church to attend and will include:
- In person drop-in surgeries where the Diocese buildings team will be available to answer your questions about faculties, funding and community engagement.
- Heritage Skills sessions – a chance to learn basic heritage maintenance skills.
- Training and talks on interpretation, technology, and Net Zero.
The network was launched in 2024 by Holly Robinson but will now be managed by Samuel Pedlar, the Diocese’s Church and Community Support Adviser.
A schedule for the meetings is copied below, and will be updated with more information in due course. Samuel Pedlar will be present at all meetings, so please contact him if you have any questions or want more information on samuel.pedlar@elydiocese.org or 07539 916607.
2025 Programme - Zoom Meetings
All Zoom meetings will run from 7.30 - 8.20pm unless otherwise advertised.
Date |
Details |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 15 January |
Heating, Lighting and Net ZeroWith presentations from Sacha Watson and Eco Church Champions. |
|
Wednesday 19 March |
Taking your project from concept to completionJames Ryder/Holly Robinson |
| Wednesday 9 April |
Bats and EcologyNigel Cooper and Guest |
| Wednesday 7 May |
Community Consultation/Engagement and Creating SurveysSamuel Pedlar |
| Wednesday 23 July |
Festival Church and Friends GroupsNigel Mills/Samuel Pedlar |
| Wednesday 3 September |
Developing Maintenance PlansSamuel Pedlar |
| Wednesday 8 October |
Clocks, Bells and Musical InstrumentsGeoffrey Hunter/Guest Speaker |
| Wednesday 12 November |
Repairs: What to do, How to pay, and Getting PermissionsJames Ryder/Holly Robinson |
| Wednesday 10 December |
Wall Paintings, Artefacts and WindowsGeoffrey Hunter/Guest Speaker |
2025 Programme - In-person Meetings
Faculty and List B Surgery
Sam Reeder/James Ryder
In person – Location TBC
26/02/2025 1:00-4:00pm
Using the Environment in Mission
Nigel Cooper
In person – Location TBC
23/04/2025
1:30-4:00pm
Fundraising, Grants and Community Consultation Surgery
Holly Robinson/Samuel Pedlar
In-person – Location TBC
02/04/2025
2:00-5:00pm
Net Zero Surgery
Nigel Cooper/Sacha Watson
In-person – Location TBC
21/05/2025
1:00-4:00pm
Heritage Skills Session
Guest Lead (assisted by James Ryder and Samuel Pedlar)
In person – Old Weston
11/07/2025
3:00-6:00pm
Heritage Skills Session
Guest Lead (assisted by James Ryder and Samuel Pedlar)
In person – Old Weston
15/08/2025
2:00-5:00pm
Friends and Festival Church Event
Samuel Pedlar/Nigel Mills
In person – Location TBC
29/08/2025
1:00-4:00pm
Faculty and List B Surgery
James Ryder/Sam Reeder
In person – Location TBC
17/09/2025
2:00-4:00pm
Maintenance Enquiries ECBP
Samuel Pedlar/Sam Reeder
In person – Location TBC
23/09/2025
2:00-4:00pm
Interpretation – Tech, Activities and Booklets
Guest speakers
In person – Location TBC
29/10/2025
10:00-12:00pm
2024 Meetings
Date |
Details |
|---|---|
|
April 2024 |
Focus on HeatingAn opportunity to discuss heating with Geoffrey Hunter and Sacha Watson (our new Net Zero Carbon Officer). Read the notes from this meeting here. April 2024 |
|
June 2024 |
Focus on Toilets and KitchensChris Parker and Sue Garland talk about The Aisle Project at St Mary’s, Feltwell. Watch the presentation recording here: The Aisle Project. Please note the white box which appears on the right of the screen is to hide the video of participants. Apologies for the text which is slightly cut-off as a result. Read the notes from this meeting here Link to fundraising video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wd7kwI7S6k June 2024 |
|
July 2024 |
Summer GatheringAn in-person gathering at St Mary’s for a tour, chat and lunch. Finding out about recent projects including toilet and kitchen, community café, foodbank and churchyard wall repair. |
|
September 2024 |
Focus on Lighting and Net Zero CarbonWith speakers from Alconbury and Newnham Churches. Read the notes from this meeting here and view Images to accompany meeting notes. September 2024 |
|
October 2024 |
Focus on Community engagementFrom Friends groups to community events, with Samuel Pedlar, Church and Community Support Adviser. Read the notes from this meeting here and view Slides to accompany meeting notes. October 2024 |
|
November 2024 |
Open Q&A sessionRead the notes from this meeting here. November 2024 |