Olympics 2012 - All the Bells

At 8am on 27th July 2012, thousands of people across the UK will be joining together to ring in the first day of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Everyone across the country is invited to take part.

To Find out more go to:
http://www.allthebells.com/

Budget 2012: proposed abolition of zero-rated VAT for alterations to Listed Buildings

An announcement in the budget on Wednesday (21st) proposed to abolish the zero VAT rating for listed buildings, including churches. If passed after October 2012 churches will probably have to find 20 per cent more money for alterations and other new work.

It is possible that the scope of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme would be extended to these works, however it is unclear how much could be reclaimed, the scheme is already under significant pressure for the repair of listed places of worship (only 46% of the VAT was awarded in the last quarter by the scheme). Also, in the future there are no guarantees that the scheme cannot be reduced in scope again (such as with the removal of profession fees, organs, bells etc).

Natalie Merry, Secretary to the Oxford  DAC, said: “It is incredibly frustrating that the Government has made plans to withdraw the zero rating without even consulting those it will affect the most - charities and churches that have already been badly hit by lead theft and the reduction in the VAT rebate for repairs to historic buildings.

“The sensitive adaptation of historic churches is the key to securing their future. If the Government truly cares about that future it should pay rather more attention to the impact of their policies on those they claim to be supporting.”

The HMRC consultation on the legislation will remain open until 4 May. To object to the proposals email david.roberts4@hmrc.gov.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact your local MP.
 

A Faculty for Planning - Kirkby Overblow - Next Tuesday Evening

Next Tuesday we will be holding an event in Kirkby Overblow Church, near Harrogate, to help introduce the faculty and planning processes. There are still places available and if you'd like to come please contact me on 0113 2000544 or at Alice.Ullathorne@riponleeds-diocese.org.uk

The event should help you with questions like:

Do I need a faculty?
Do I need planning permission?
How do I write a Statement of Significance?
How do I write a Statement of Need?

Long time no see

So sorry I haven't been blogging for a while. I'm afraid of late there hasn't been enough hours in the day. I shall post some interesting updates that need to be taken into account today and try to keep in touch better (hours allowing).

The Jerusalem Trust Prize for the Commissioning of New Art in Parish Churches

The Church Buildings Council invites parishes within the 42 dioceses of the Church of England to apply for a one-off prize of £10,000, generously funded by The Jerusalem Trust, to be awarded for the best developed proposal for commissioning a new work of art in their church. The purpose of the prize is to reward an excellently prepared proposal and not to judge and fund a particular artwork. A commission may take any of the following forms:

• Creative textile
• Metalwork
• Glass  
• Painting
• Installation using mixed media
• Sculpture

The essential criterion will be the requirement to use the process outlined in the Council’s

guidance on “Commissioning New Art for Churches”, which is attached and can also be

downloaded from www.churchcare.co.uk/   

The competition has two stages:

Stage 1 – Expression of Interest - Deadline: 29 February 2012 (send to Diana Coulter - see below)

Stage 2 – Final Submission - Deadline 1 October 2012

For further information parishes and DACs are invited to contact Diana Coulter, the

Divisional Support Officer in the Cathedral & Church Buildings Division at:

Diana Coulter

Cathedral & Church Buildings Division

Church House

Great Smith Street

London SW1P 3AZ
Phone:  020 7898 1860

email: diana.coulter@churchofengland.org 

The form, notes and the Guidelines may be downloaded from the churchcare website: http://www.churchcare.co.uk/

2012 - An exciting New Year

We have an exciting year beginning in the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds with opportunities to open our church doors to new people from with and without our communities.

Firstly, at the start of June are the Queen's Jubilee celebrations stretching over an extended weekend from Saturday 2nd June to Tuesday 5th June. This weekend communities are being encouraged to hold community events from the Big Lunch to lighting beacons. Information can be found at:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_197517

I will be sending out further information about the beacons in the next few weeks.

Secondly, the Olympic Torch relay will be travelling through the diocese in June. The dates and places it will be visiting are below:

Tuesday 19 June

Boston Spa, Wetherby, Harewood, Knaresborough, Harrogate, Ripon, York (Evening celebration)

Wednesday 20 June

York, Thirsk, Northallerton, Aiskew, Bedale, Aysgarth, Leyburn, Richmond

Sunday 24 June

Ilkley, Headingley, Potternewton, Harehills, Richmond Hill, Leeds (Evening celebration)

Monday 25 June

Leeds, Hunslet, Beeston, Morley

If the relay is passing your door it's a great opportunity to invite people in for refreshments and to rest their feet.

Before all these national celebrations from Saturday 28th April to Monday 7th May the Treasures Revealed in Leeds week will take place. This is an opportunity to open your doors to new people and explain the treasures of your church.

Finally, on the weekend of the 6th to 9th of September is the Heritage Open Days Weekend. This is a nationally organised and promoted scheme to help people get access to their local heritage, including churches.

So you can see this year more than many others there are ample opportunities to engage new people with our churches. I'll be sending out information in the next few weeks to help you join in with these schemes.

Protecting Your Church from Metal Theft Seminars

The two metal theft seminars have now taken place and the presentations for the different parts of the diocese are now available on my web page:

http://www.riponleeds.anglican.org/church_buildings.html

links to the presentations are available at the bottom of the page. Thanks to those who made it and particapted.