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Church Tourism Newsletter Welcome to the second edition of the Southwell Diocese Church Tourism Newsletter. I have now set up web pages for church tourism in Southwell, which can be accessed on the Main menu of the Diocesan website www.southwell.anglican.org. ‘Subscribers’ to this Newsletter have now reached nearly 150, and the Newsletter has also been requested by a number of tourism organisations and Tourist Information Centres. Edited by Myra Shackley, Diocesan Tourism Adviser, phone 01777 872457/870838 or dta@myrashackley.freeserve.co.uk OPEN CHURCHES The following churches have sent information about their opening hours: St Mary’s Greasley is currently open Wednesday to Friday between 10am and 4pm. Contact Dave Marvin dave.marvin1@ntlworld.com Southwell Methodist Church The church is not generally left open for reasons of security but can be opened on request at specific times and short tours provided by Peter Jakeman. Each and every Saturday morning they hold a 'coffee morning' open to all between 10.00am and 11.30am when any one who drops in can ask the person on duty behind the hatch to open the Church for a 'look-see'. Contact Peter Jakeman at peternj@fish.co.uk or Three Firs', 21 Marlock Close, Fiskerton, Southwell, Notts., NG25 0UB. 01636 830060.
PLEASE NOTE – the next issue of the Church Tourism Newsletter will contain a complete list of churches in Southwell Diocese that are currently open for visitors, together with their opening hours. CHURCH FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
St. Mary the Virgin High Pavement, Nottingham Monday 9th September 2002 to Saturday 21st September, 10.00 am until 4.00pm Admission Free. An Exhibition of Church Restorations An illustrated exhibition presented jointly by the Friends of St. Mary's Nottingham and the Nottinghamshire Archives Office tracing the history of restoration work at St. Mary's in the Lace Market. This exhibition will show some of the dramatic changes that have occurred to this famous Nottingham landmark over the past 700 years, including the reconstruction of the west front in 1726 in the Classical Style and its subsequent restoration just over 100 years later in the gothic style. Also included will be photographs, drawings, contracts and specifications, and of particular interest, copies of the valuable notes made in the seventeenth century parish registers which are the only documentary evidence of many of the works carried out. Tower Open Day Saturday 14th September 2002, 10.30 am - 12.30 pm, 2.00pm - 4.00pm; Admission £3 adults, £1.50 children in aid of the Friends of St. Mary's Brass rubbing, gift shop and refreshments also available
St. Peter’s Nottingham Tuesday 10th September 7.30pm Nottingham Youth Chamber Orchestra: Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture; Mozart: Flute Concerto in C; Beethoven 7th Symphony Wednesday 11th September all day: Church open to remember, 1 year on and then 7.30pm An Inter-faith Act of Commemoration at St. Barnabas Cathedral, Derby Road. Saturday 5th October: Showing of the silent film 'The Farmer's Wife' (probably 7.30pm) (in partnership with Broadway Cinema). Thursday 28th November: City Debate: 'Driven to Drink? What else do We want from our City Centre?' Panellists: Stephen Green, Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire; the Rt. Rev'd Malcolm McMahon, Bishop of Nottingham; and others. Contact: Andrew Deuchar. andrew.deuchar@stpetersnottingham.org; St. Peter's Rectory, Nottingham, NG1 6GB. 0115 947 4891
Southwell Minster From 9th September to 4th October exhibition of ceramic sculptures by an artist called Alan Sanpe from Warrington who is exploring the story of Jonah and the Whale and The Feeding of the 5000. 11th October to 11th November exhibition of photographs by Heather Allen based on the theme of 'colour' arising out of her trips to Nepal. 28th September at 8pm in the Nave there will be a showing of the Silent Movie, 'The Black Pirate' with Douglas Fairbanks. Tickets £6 and £4 to Contact: Canon Richard Davey. rdavey1175@aol.com St. Mary & St. Martin Blyth September 14th - 15th Nottinghamshire Heritage are presenting a weekend of guided tours round the church with trips up one of the highest towers in Nottinghamshire, offering magnificent views. Further information 01909 591229.
ERRATUM
In the last edition of this Newsletter St. Patrick’s Nuthall was incorrectly referred to as St. Peter’s. Apologies to all concerned. TOURISM AND THE CHURCH This article is taken from a Leadership Letter, The National Churches Tourism group (NCTG) has carried out a survey inviting visitors to 165 churches to complete a questionnaire about the motivation for their visit and how they evaluate the experience. The results are published by the NCTG in their book Rural Visitors, which includes data from nearly 13, 000 completed questionnaires. Churches have to be presented as part of the attraction of an area, for few visitors follow the church trails on which so much previous attention has been focused. Mounting an exhibition in church about the local area is often supported by, and helpful to, other local businesses. The main church insurers, Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, recognise that an unlocked church is no more likely to suffer damage or theft than a locked church as breaking-in only adds to the damage. A simple welcome notice on the roadside can proclaim that the church is open and give a hint as to what the visitor might expect inside. While only 1 in 3 visitors appreciate having someone to greet them, the welcome given by flower arrangers, cleaners or by the practising organist is often greatly valued. An open Bible on a lectern, lit with a spotlight, or hymn numbers and information about recent services helps visitors remember the purpose for which the church is primarily intended. Some 70% of visitors said that they liked to have an opportunity to pray, which can be helped by a prayer corner, the opportunity to light a candle or somewhere for visitors to leave prayer requests. 1 in 10 church visitors lives locally and may have an interest in the relationship between church and local community. For more information on this survey see the NCTG website http://www.geocities.com/nctg_uk/ News from neighbours
A new campaign to heighten visitors’ awareness and appreciation of churches in North Yorkshire has been launched by the Yorkshire Tourist Board. The Board is making available almost £100,000 as part of the North Yorkshire Church Tourism and Countryside Initiative to increase understanding and enjoyment of historic buildings. Churches can make applications for up to 90% of the cost of interpretive materials such as leaflets, displays, presentations, resources for visitors with special needs and school visits. The tourist board and Churches regional Commission for Yorkshire and the Humber bid successfully for money from the Heritage Lottery Fund, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and the Countryside Agency. Most applications for funds are expected to be in the region of £100 - £1000, though some larger awards may be made. The grants may be used as a main funding for a project, or to top up other sources of funding. Churches taking part will also benefit from the support of a dedicated tourism co-ordinator and from marketing activity at local, regional and national level. BIZZFIZZ in Tuxford
A new programme has been launched in the Tuxford area, supported by the Civic Trust and the New Economics Foundation, to bring together a number of enterprise support measures in a way that is new to the UK and has the potential to make a real difference to Tuxford and its environs. The region covered by the programme, one of only three in the whole country, extends around Tuxford with the villages of Kirton, Bothamsall and Dunham acting as approximate boundaries. The scheme involves a full-time co-ordinator, based at the Mine of Information in Tuxford, and a Local Panel to built networks, enhance business start-up rates and home-grown businesses to expand entrepreneurial possibilities and business start-ups in the area. It will last for two years, and is designed to assist with the regeneration and re-vitalisation of a run-down area. Anyone can apply to the scheme for advice and assistance, and BizzFizz can help with new tourism-related businesses or any other idea that will create employment within the designated local region. There are no upper and lower limits on the size of the businesses which will be assisted, which can be anything from a small one-person craft business, to a farm shop or larger enterprise located in Tuxford or its surrounding villages. Moreover, the scheme will not only advise people with good start-up ideas but also help those who want to expand an existing business. The Local Panel includes representatives from all the major development and business assistance organisations, but also has a number of Tuxford residents who run a business in the local area. Further information can be obtained from the ‘coach’ Fred Forshaw, who can be contacted at fred.forshaw@tuxfordonline.co.uk or at the Tuxford Mine of Information 01777 870040. Fred is anxious to contact local community groups and churches to see if anyone has some new business ideas. Myra Shackley is a member of the Local Panel, and will contribute further information about the project in future editions of this Newsletter. NOTES AND NEWS
The National Church Tourism Group is run from the Arthur Rank Centre, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh CV8 2LZ. Paul Bond is National Liaison office for church tourism, and can be contacted on 01865 331124 or via paul_bond@bigfoot.com. Membership of NTCG costs £12 for individuals and £25 for churches. NTCG publishes a regular Newsletter (Faith in Tourism) and has a web-based discussion group on church tourism issues in the UK. Between November 20th - 22nd 2002 the NCTG is organising a major conference at Swanwick, Derbyshire, with speakers including the Rt. Rev'd James Jones (Bishop of Liverpool), Mary Lynch (CEO English Tourism Council), Paul Tickner (Director, British Heritage Tours), Judy Cligman (Heritage Lottery Fund) and Brian Fraser (Director, Scotland’s Churches Scheme). Some places are still available – contact Paul Bond, address and phone as above. New Publications
Tolson, N. (2002) Places of Worship Security Manual Berkswell Publishing. ISBN 090 463 1125 £7.97. Nick Tolson is a former policeman who now co-ordinates National Churchwatch. The book contains practical and down-to-earth advice about subjects from CCTV to property marking. It also includes how to deal with difficult people and complaints, and has a useful Risk Assessment form. Nick offers free training for ministers, churchwardens and others responsible for places of worship. See www.nationalchurchwatch.com or email nicktolson@nationalchurchwatch.com.
NEW WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING
Our new WebPages are now online and can be accessed via the Main Menu on the Diocesan website at www.southwell.anglican.org. They consist of an introductory page about churches in Southwell Diocese and a Featured Church, which this month is St. Peter’s, Clayworth. Past and present editions of this Newsletter can also be accessed, and there is a page of Links to other resources of interest. Plans for the future include a map of the Diocese to show the location of churches that offer a welcome to visitors, and a link to a directory of church opening times and access arrangements. Nominations (especially if accompanied by photos and further details) for future Featured Churches, would be especially welcome.
‘WELCOME TO THE CHURCH’ courses
At least one ‘Welcome to the Church’ course is planned for the winter 2002/3 within our Diocese. These courses are based on the highly successful ‘Welcome Host’ courses validated by regional Tourist Boards. Each course is delivered by an experienced trainer and lasts for a full day. ‘Welcome to the Church’ explores the issues involved in creating a welcoming environment for the church visitor. It is a participative course that emphasises the skills and attitudes necessary for welcoming visitors. Courses are delivered to a group of no more than 16 people at a local venue, and we hope to be able to gain sponsorship for at least one course (to include training, lunch and room hire) during the winter of 2002/3. Email information will be circulated as soon as more details are known, but anyone interested in getting their name on the list is most welcome to contact me on dta@myrashackley.freeserve.co.uk
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