Tourism and community: a virtuous circle

Transcription

1 Tourism and community: a virtuous circle A great visitor experience goes together with engaged communities Inglesham 1

2 Religious heritage tourism USP Rooted in the community Alive & in use Connected to people Sustainable Utrecht, September

3 The Churches Conservation Trust 350 historic churches & communities English charity Government, Church & Voluntary support 2 million visitors per year Utrecht, September 2016 Billesley, Warwickshire Shakespeare s wedding? 3

4 St Margaret s, in Hales, Norfolk. Standing in the middle of open countryside this church is almost unchanged since it was built in the 12 th century West Bergholt St Mary, Essex. 14th century church The bell turret contains 15th century timbers, but a blocked north doorway proclaims its Saxon origins. Work of several centuries inside includes a rare Jacobean Royal Arms, a rustic 18th century gallery and simple 19th century woodwork all combining to create an unspoiled and atmospheric example of a typically jumbly English country church. 4

5 Burgess Skelton cum Newby Textiles The altar frontal set which belongs to Christ the Consoler, Skelton-cum-Newby in North Yorkshire. 5

6 Glass 16 St. Bernard stained glass panels from St. Mary, Shrewsbury. The glass panels originate from the cloisters of Altenburg Abbey, near Cologne and were made in the early 1500s. Shrewsbury St Mary They are very fine examples of the glass of the period, and are the largest collection in existence. They were brought into St. Mary s by the then vicar in 1845 following the dissolution of many European religious houses during Napoleon s time. Exhibited in an international exhibition in Cologne Wallpaintings mid 14th-century - Seven Works of Mercy Moulton St Mary 6

7 Grade I medieval Church St Giles in the middle of Salisbury Plain firing range which attracts thousands of visitors on the few days when it is accessible. Sometimes large groups of tourists come in bus loads. But usually we re talking about smaller groups, tours, families, visiting under their own steam or in small groups 7

8 Churches are perfect points of interest for cycling and walking days out Youth Volunteering, Wolfhamcote Warwks. Partnership with YMCA and local hostel brings in human resource, motivates young people, solves conservation problem 8

9 This is Skidbrooke in Lincolnshire. Isolated, vandalised and a magnet for vandals and halloween tomfoolery, a community and education programme saw the locals turn the churchyard into a nature reserve and regular school visits as we see here. Tour guide training for volunteers 9

10 Tourism is also a valuable part of our strategy to attract new audiences People of all faiths and none, who have lost or have never had the tradition of churchgoing In the modern age there are things which 21 st century tourists want. King s Lynn Discrete new facilities have minimal impact on historic fabric 10

11 Sustainable tourism also part of the religious heritage Unique Selling Point King s Lynn again: Pholtovoltaic cells on Grade I roof a first for heritage sustainability Low impact events which mean little change to the building 11

12 Novelties and new ways of imagining the space 12

13 Religious heritage tourism plays a vital and proven role. It has a hugely positive social impact when delivered in tandem with the community and in a sustainable manner. Above all, by opening our churches and presenting them to the world, we will keep our heritage beautiful, alive and well looked after for generations to come. 13