Historic Churches 2023

30 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON H ISTOR I C CHURCHE S 30th ANNUAL ED ITION OTHER PRIORITIES Addressing critical building challenges and improving welcome: these works include essential repairs to keep the rain out, for example, as well as sensitive alterations to promote accessibility and openness. Developing multiple sustainable income streams: other projects have taught us that it is risky to rely on single-income activities. For St Mary’s, at the heart of much-visited Conwy, it is proposed to host a multifaceted arts and performance space, adding sufficient loos and a green room. Opening up to benefit communities : at Clynoch Fawr it is planned to turn a redundant bier house into a toilet and shower block for pilgrims and visitors, providing the first public loos in the village; and in Bangor a cathedral quarter is envisaged around St Deiniol’s Cathedral, attractively linking the high street and university campus. Promoting Welsh heritage: alongside a diocesan initiative funded by the Church in Wales to encourage vocations of more Welsh speakers, Llefa’r Cerrig seeks to tell the stories of Welsh heritage, such as the development of the Mabinogion stories in St Bueno. Proclaiming our story: plans for interpretation within St Deiniol’s Cathedral include creating two treasuries and orientation spaces on either side as the visitor enters the cathedral, the second for children; creating a ‘Capel Gwynedd’ to tell the story of the medieval princes of Gwynedd (at least one of whom is buried here) and their kingdom, all presented at state-of-the-art museum standards. ONGOING CHALLENGES Working with stakeholders: the project introduces a range of innovative ideas to promote church growth and economic sustainability, and these may be perceived by some stakeholders to challenge the way things have always been, even where congregations have dwindled. Perceptions by other church communities that they are being overlooked: mitigations include regular consultation involving ministry area leaders in ways respecting stakeholders and an ongoing and relevant communications programme. If necessary, points of disagreement will be adjudicated by the diocesan chancellor. Major funding: the demise of direct funding by the government and its historic environment agencies (in this case Cadw) has resulted in greater reliance on funding by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and NLHF funding for churches has declined dramatically over the past five years. NLHF policy of devolution also seems to have made it more difficult for smaller regions such as Wales to fund large projects. MEANWHILE, COSTS AND FUNDING, PRIORITIES AND PHASING Internal resources: as the Llefa’r Cerrig churches have been prioritised, for mission as well as historic purposes, it has been possible to begin some conservation and renewal work, without external funding. NLHF Wales : despite the challenges, the NLHF remains the obvious source for major funding for all highly significant historic buildings. Two applications have been submitted, the first in February 2021 and a second application in February 2023. On both occasions NLHF Wales has commended the strategic nature of the project and recognised the historic significance of the buildings but on neither occasion has it been able to award the size of grant requested. Reflections on the best approach going forward and discussions continue. Levelling up funding: in the meantime, an innovative approach was adopted working in conjunction with Isle of Anglesey County Council. Thanks to the existence of the masterplan, the project manager and ministry area leader were able to rapidly produce a heritage-led bid for the development of Holyhead (a recognised centre of deprivation) with St Cybi’s church at its centre. To our delight in early 2023 the levelling up bid was approved. Including match funding the total award was £22 million, and £2.3 million has been earmarked for the development of St Cybi’s at the heart of this wider regeneration scheme. Priorities and phasing: inevitably all these developments have required strategic prioritisation and phasing. For example, architectural expertise has been consolidated under one major firm, Donald Insall Associates, while continuing to work with a range of creative individuals across the many facets of the project. ONGOING BUT IN CONCLUSION Alongside fabric repair and renewal work, it is deeply satisfying to witness bilingual liturgy and music develop in the cathedral under an inspired new sub-dean and director of music. Together they have built up a ministry team, choir and congregation from a low post-Covid point, recently commissioning new compositions ‘in Welsh and for Wales’ as well as bespoke choir and nave furniture, designed by Luke Hughes. I enjoyed all of these and watched newcomers return to the daily services in Holy Week, demonstrating that creating delight and growth in these historic churches is not the result of one specific initiative but builds on a virtuous cycle of success. Llefa’r Cerrig, Stones Shout Out! Canon JANET GOUGH OBE works on strategic projects to conserve and develop historic church buildings for wider enjoyment, and writes and lectures regularly on ecclesiastical subjects – see www.janet-gough.com . Her recent book, Deans’ Choice: Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales is available from Scala Arts & Heritage Publishers. https://scalapublishers.com/cathedral- treasures-of-england-and-wales/ Janet would like to thank the Diocese of Bangor and its advisors and especially Sub-Dean Siôn Rhys Evans and Simon Ogdon for help in preparing this article. Eastertide at Cadeirlan Deiniol Sant with the Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Llandaff: the newly installed nave altar table and stackable benches are by Luke Hughes, and the moveable choir stalls beyond are decorated with the bangor or ‘wattle fence’ motif. (Photo: Esgobaeth Bangor).