Winter Study Day 2012

Explanations of the how to protect lead roofs from thieves, descriptions of how the wildlife in our churchyards can inspire a younger generation and ideas of ways to attract and welcome visitors to our churches were the topics for the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Winter Study Day 2012.

Organised this year for the first time by Trustee, Robert Rous, over 100 Friends of the Trust and visitors, came to Haughley Park Barns where the expert speakers provided something for all.

James Halsall, Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee
With 10 churches hit by lead thefts every day in the UK (Church Times) this was a subject that had attracted many of those present to attend. James explained, via a revealing graph, how church insurance claims exactly mirrored the rise and fall of the value of lead and why the problem existed (the high value of the lead to overseas manufacturers).

With slides to illustrate the damage done to Suffolk's churches (St Helen's in Ipswich had £50 worth of lead taken, but £5,000 of damage was caused) he acknowledged that the solution to the problem laid in Government hands but meanwhile suggested ways to detract the thieves;

• Move all wheelie bins out of sight – they are used for transporting the lead and to climb upon.

• Protect all lead with SmartWater, as demanded by Ecclesiastical Insurance, but sprinkle it across the surface rather than as daubs as some thieves are using UV torches to identify the marked areas and are cutting around them.

• Consider fitting a battery operated roof alarm that triggers klaxon sirens and blue flashing lights when activated.

• As a last resort, subject to planning permission etc, and on areas that are not visible, consider alternatives to lead.

James also spoke about the Suffolk churches that are creating energy and an income after installing solar photovoltaic screens on unseen areas of their roofs, behind high parapets. An example is Grundisburgh church where they have 40 such panels.

His recommended advisory websites are listed in the Links area of this website click here.

Susan Stone, the Conservation Adviser and Tracy Housely, Community Conservation Adviser (Suffolk WildlifeTrust) 

A church and the church yard has often been left undisturbed as a tranquil refuge for generations. This makes it the ideal place for birds, flora, and other wildlife.

Susan spoke of the importance of the wildflowers, lichen, veteran trees, the hedges and shrubs as a source of shelter and food for birds, butterflies, insects etc.

Accepting that a churchyard can't just be left but needs to be managed, she said that it would always be a balance between the needs of the wildlife and the parish – and the latter was the most important. However, with free advisory visits from the SWT, a way could be found to encourage local people (including young people) to get involved. One of the most important pieces of advice was having Interpretation Boards that explained to the casual visitor that the areas of long grass or piles of cut hay were not a sign of neglect but a deliberate policy to encourage and protect the wildlife. 

Tracy Housely then introduced a new SWT initiative, Networking Nature, funded by a National Lottery grant, that employs three officers with experience of conservation and/or education, who will be available to help every parish to get involved in restoring, monitoring and enjoying their open spaces via work parties, family days etc.

http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Marion Whelham, Church Buildings and Tourism Officer for the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.

After reminding us of the importance of historic churches to the tourist industry, Marion then suggested ways to counter the impression that many visitors have that, although churches are unlocked, they can't go inside:

• Signage – have a "church open – all welcome to come inside and look" sign.... Use positive messages "Thank you for your donation" or "Thank you for not letting your dog foul our churchyard" ...Replace scruffy posters and remove those that are out-of date.

• First impressions – remove dying flowers, rethink scruffy second-hand book stalls, repair crumbling render (or have a neat notice explaining the fundraising needed to do the work).

• Decide if your church is to be a quiet place of space, creating an environment of awe and contemplation – or a busy social area with coffee and cake, display boards etc. 

• Find a way to provide information about what can be seen and (in a non-patronising way) how items in the church are used for worship.

• Create a trail or quiz for children and a church guide for adults.

• Think of other information that visitors will need – the location of the nearest public toilets if you don't provide them, walks in the area, other attractions nearby (a reciprocal arrangement), where the Parish Records are kept (i.e. the address of the relevant Records Office) and so on.

• Have a booklet or display about what happens in the church to show that it is a living space, still used for the purpose for which it was built, hundreds of years before, ie worship.

She also gave advice on collection boxes, the best items to sell as souvenirs, and publicity.

Marion ended with gave the example of St Johns, Snape where a beautiful sign reads "Welcome to God's House. Please feel at home, have a good look around, take photographs if you wish, or sit quietly and enjoy the peace of this place."

http://www.stedmundsbury.anglican.org/index.cfm?page=yourchurch.content&cmid=62

Roy Tricker, author of Tricker's Church Guides.



Roy has now written 245 church guides from producing leaflets of a couple of pages copied on a school duplicator, to the glossy colour booklets often expected today. He brought his years of experience to the Winter Study Day, saying that anyone who loved a church could write the guide, then explaining how he goes about it:

• Think what visitors want: a walk-around guide, something to read at home or a souvenir of colour photographs.

• Beware as you write of "church experts" and don't make assumptions. Use phrases such as "it may well have been," "possibly....." or "people have thought that..."

• Before reading any other guidebooks, spend days in the church making notes, taking photos, forming impressions... only then compare your thoughts to the established texts.

• Research the history of the church via wills, the Religious Census, and parish files held at the Records Office. Good resources there also include the microfilms of David Elisha Davy's church visits (1800-1846) and the sketches of Isaac Johnson.

• Include a chronology of the church, with news stories, anecdotes about the clergy or local worshippers .... a walk around the outside and inside of the building.... information about the hidden items (vestry, organ)....an explanation of what everything is for ....and all the names listed on memorials for those visitors tracing their family trees.

Roy ended by stressing that guides should be friendly, welcoming and should praise the church and enthuse the reader.

Next Event: Spring Field Day 2012 - 12th May. Details to be announced.  

Rachel Sloane

SPRING FIELD DAY 7^th MAY 2011

It was an usually warm and sunny spring day for the SHCT Annual Field Day. Christopher Spicer had organised an excellent day’s ‘Church Crawling’ for his 10^th and final Field Day as our Education Officer. There was a very good turnout and we gathered in Gazeley, near Newmarket where kindly hosts had invited us to use their garden as our base for the day. In the morning we visited nearby Dalham, Moulton and Higham with Roy Tricker as our guide. Although geographically close they were very different buildings and there was much to see. In the afternoon Clive Paine arrived to guide us around Gazeley church.

Assembling at our first stop Dalham St. Mary. The church is well out of the village but adjacent to the magnificent Dalham Hall with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside.

Dalham, the battlements are a typical feature of the churches in this part of Suffolk on the border with Cambridgeshire. On the north side is the ruined mausoleum of the Affleck family.

                                                     
Exploring the Nave. Dalham has a very interesting interior, remains of medieval wall paintings, dado section of the rood screen, monuments and more besides.

Arriving at Moulton St.Peter no doubt about the dedication with its distinctive weather vane in the shape of a fish. Moulton is famous for its 15^th century packhorse bridge and the church is approached via a bridge or a ford over the River Kennet.

Perpendicular splendour! the nave arcade and the clerestory windows with a fine stone frieze. Although he church was re-built in the later medieval period but there is also good evidence of an earlier Norman church.

Hidden in a corner is this rare survival, possibly from the earlier church, an ancient stone panel of two naked figures, may be a fertility symbol or perhaps a warning against the sins of the flesh?

Higham St. Stephen is a rarity in Suffolk a new church built in 1861to save the inhabitants of this hamlet the journey to Gazeley each Sunday.

Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott with echoes of the Suffolk style a very different atmosphere. This round tower takes its inspiration from nearby Little Saxham.

Roy Tricker in the pulpit explains the virtues of this most unusual and fascinating Victorian church

We returned to Gazeley where we had been invited to enjoy our picnic lunches in a delightful summer garden.

We had a warm welcome at All Saints Gazeley, where Clive Paine shared his enthusiasm for this large and interesting church.

The afternoon ended with a celebration of Evensong lead by the Revd Stephen Mitchell with support from Roy Tricker and Clive Paine now enrobed both being C of E Readers. We were in good voice as we joined in several well loved hymns. Roy gave a heartfelt address about the glories of our churches during which he thanked Christopher Spicer for his dedication in organising our Field and Study Days during the last 10 years. After the service the Gazeley ladies provided us with a most welcome tea; the perfect end to a perfect day.