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, and is now being managed by Samuel Pedlar, our Church and Community Support Adviser. A schedule for the meetings is copied below. Please look out for more information about each of the sessions in our newsletters, social media channels and the latest news on our website. Samuel 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.
Heating, Lighting and Net Zero
Wednesday 15 January
With presentations from Sacha Watson and Eco Church Champions
Taking your project from concept to completion
Wednesday 19 March
With James Ryder and Holly Robinson
Bats and Ecology
Wednesday 9 April
With Nigel Cooper and a Guest Speaker
Community Consultation/Engagement and Creating Surveys
Wednesday 7 May
With Samuel Pedlar
Festival Church and Friends Groups
Wednesday 23 July
With Nigel Mills and Samuel Pedlar
Developing Maintenance Plans
Wednesday 3 September
With Samuel Pedlar
Clocks, Bells and Musical Instruments
Wednesday 8 October
With Geoffrey Hunter and a Guest Speaker
Repairs: What to do, How to pay, and Getting Permissions
Wednesday 12 November
With James Ryder and Holly Robinson
Wall Paintings, Artefacts and Windows
Wednesday 10 December
With Geoffrey Hunter and a Guest Speaker
2025 Programme - In-person Meetings
Faculty and List B Surgery
Wednesday 26 February
- Sam Reeder and James Ryder
- In person – Location TBC
- 1.00 - 4.00pm
Fundraising, Grants and Community Consultation Surgery
Wednesday 2 April
- Holly Robinson and Samuel Pedlar
- In-person – Location TBC
- 2.00 - 5.00pm
Using the Environment in Mission
Wednesday 23 April
- Nigel Cooper
- In person – Location TBC
- 1.30 - 4.00pm
Net Zero Surgery
Wednesday 21 May
- Nigel Cooper and Sacha Watson
- In-person – Location TBC
- 1.00 - 4.00pm
Heritage Skills Session
Friday 11 July
- Guest Leader (assisted by James Ryder and Samuel Pedlar)
- In person – Old Weston
- 3.00 - 6.00pm
Heritage Skills Session
Friday 15 August
- Guest Leader (assisted by James Ryder and Samuel Pedlar)
- In person – Old Weston
- 2.00 - 5.00pm
Friends and Festival Church Event
Friday 29 August
- Samuel Pedlar and Nigel Mills
- In person – Location TBC
- 1.00 - 4.00pm
Faculty and List B Surgery
Wednesday 17 September
- James Ryder and Sam Reeder
- In person – Location TBC
- 2.00 - 4.00pm
Maintenance Enquiries ECBP
Tuesday 23 September
- Samuel Pedlar and Sam Reeder
- In person – Location TBC
- 2.00 - 4.00pm
Interpretation – Tech, Activities and Booklets
Wednesday 29 October
- With Guest Speakers
- In person – Location TBC
- 10.00am - 12.00pm
Previous Meetings (2024)
Focus on Heating - April 2024
Geoffrey Hunter and Sacha Watson (our new Net Zero Carbon Officer) discuss heating. Read the notes from this meeting here.
Focus on Toilets and Kitchens - June 2024
Watch the presentation recording of Chris Parker and Sue Garland talking about The Aisle Project at St Mary’s, Feltwell. 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 and view the fundraising video.
Summer Gathering - July 2024
An 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.
Focus on Lighting and Net Zero Carbon - September 2024
Speakers from Alconbury and Newnham Churches discussed Lighting and Net Zero Carbon. Read the notes from this meeting here and view Images to accompany meeting notes.
Focus on Community engagement - October 2024
Samuel Pedlar, Church and Community Support Adviser talked about Community engagement, from Friends groups to community events. Read the notes from this meeting here and view Slides to accompany meeting notes.
Open Q&A session - November 2024
An open Question & Answer session. Read the notes from this meeting here.