Many of our most ancient architectural treasures will struggle to survive unless the Government saves a scheme to enable them to reclaim tax for repairs and restoration, warns Alex Glanville, Head of Property Services for the Church in Wales.
Think of Listed Buildings in Wales and images of ancient Celtic monuments or battle-scarred castles come to mind. But you don’t have to go on a tourist trail or make a special trip out to visit a listed building in Wales; the chances are you just have to walk down your street or lane to your local church or chapel to see a treasure on your doorstep. The Church in Wales, for example, has more than 1,000 listed church buildings (two-thirds of its buildings) and it is a similar story for other denominations.
These buildings are a vital part of the heritage of Wales and more than two million people visit them every year. They are beautiful places which provide not only a place for regular worship but they tell the story of Wales and her people over the generations. They provide peaceful places for reflection, act as a local art gallery and host the key moments in the lives of so many.
Sad then that so many of us take them for granted. The fact they have been here for so long (and many mark the original ‘llan’ of the community) means we seem to think they will be there forever. We do not stop to think who looks after these special buildings or who pays for them. Perhaps, we think that some government body pays for them or that ‘rich’ religious organisation; we may feel they are someone else’s problem and, frankly, not care very much.
The truth is that it is the local congregation who care for the building ensuring, as far as they can, that the place is maintained and repaired. You may never go to church or chapel but your neighbours who do are the very people who have to give of their time, energy and resources to keep the building open. There are no guaranteed grants or funds waiting to support them; any money they have to put into the building is from their own fundraising efforts or from applying to some very limited grant schemes. Our churches are perfect examples of local people, acting locally to look after nationally (and internationally) important places. This is not a centralised bureaucracy this is local management in action. We all owe an enormous debt to the countless generations of dedicated volunteers who have given us this remarkable inheritance.
But these remarkable buildings do not come cheap especially with ever higher standards and complex regulations. In fact, the Church in Wales estimates that £70 million is needed over the next five years to carry out the repairs identified by professional architects and surveyors. That is in addition to costs of heating and electricity, churchyard maintenance and salaries – oh yes, and the charitable donations that every congregation makes to good causes.
Of course, there is some help available. Cadw gives around £500,000 each year to Church in Wales churches and similar amounts to other denominations. The Heritage Lottery Fund runs a special scheme for the urgent repairs to places of worship giving around £750,000 each year. The UK Government has helped by allowing the VAT on repairs to churches and chapels to be reclaimed which has been worth, in Wales, about £5.3m over the last decade. All these have helped and where an individual church has been given a grant the effect has been dramatic but not every church can benefit. Cadw grants can only be given to outstanding buildings (and being listed does not mean the building is outstanding) and like the Heritage Lottery Fund works must be urgent. There is virtually no help for the grade 2 listed building (there are three grades 1, 2* and 2 – a bit like gold, silver and bronze) which really need work doing now to prevent serious and urgent problems in the future.
The Government’s VAT scheme is so important because it helps all listed buildings but it is under serious threat. The Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme will end in March 2011 unless the Government can be persuaded to continue it in some form. Churches are calling upon people to support their campaign to continue this scheme and there is a petition to the Prime Minister at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/VAT-refundscheme/. Please consider signing up as something you can do to help protect the treasure on your doorstep.
But it is not all about money. Congregations need help and expertise to look after these treasures. The recent announcement of funding from Cadw and Heritage Lottery Fund for a project to develop training and guidance initiatives to help those who care for places of worship is a great step but provides one person for the whole of Wales. This will help but there is so much more to be done.
Congregations are willing to accept help from others so if you feel you can contribute to the heroic endeavour of caring for this precious heritage then do contact the parish priest or minister. You do not have to be a believer and you won’t be forced into coming to church – your talents will be appreciated and welcomed as your gift to the Church. Alternatively, you may feel able to simply give a donation to your church and these days churches are fully geared up for direct debit and regular giving (not just a few coppers on the collection plate!)
So next time you are passing your local place of worship stop and take a look inside. Many buildings are open every day and even if they are locked the key can be obtained nearby. Enjoy your local heritage as a treasure on your doorstep and spare a thought for the people who care for the place. They are people like you and, maybe, they would welcome a hand. This heritage belongs to us all and we all have a duty to help care for it.
