The Government has finally announced that the Listed Places of Worship Scheme which helped churches reclaim VAT for repairs comes to an end on March 31st. It will be replaced by a new Grant Scheme the finer details of which have not yet been published. The new scheme will only apply to English churches which leaves Welsh churches without the same grant aid.
The Norfolk Churches Trust will celebrate its 50th Anniversary this summer and I have been involved in producing a coffee table book to comemmorate the occasion. It takes the form of a series of essays about Norfolk Churches and the work of the Charity. I am also leading two self-drive day tours visiting eight of the churches which the Trust has in its care. The first tour is on July 8th and visits Bagthorpe, Barmer, Dunton and West Rudham Click here for details. The second is on July 22nd and visits Hargham, Snetterton, Illington and Lynford Click here for details
On Wednesday May 6th I will be leading a self-drive church tour for The Essex Churches Trust. Details have not yet been published but the Trust website is Friends of Essex Churches
Last year I was asked by the Diocese of Ely to lead a self-drive tour in the former Huntingdonshire and I`m delighted to say that I am doing another this summer. The date will be Thursday July 9th and will visit churches around Huntingdon. Tickets are not yet available.
My NEW BOOK Churches of Lincolnshire is published in March. You can preorder copies here Churches of Lincolnshire
The following is a selection of lectures/tour dates
February 20th ZOOM to Herefordshire Family History Society
February 21st Suffolk Historic Churches Conference, Haughley Park
February 23rd Newmaket U3A
February 24th Norwich UEA Retirement group
March 3rd Sudbury U3A
March 4th Market Deeping Men`s Group
March 5th ARTS SOCIETY DIRECTORY DAY, London
March 12th Caston WI
April 13th ZOOM Churches of Lincolnshire Tickets here
April 15th Downham Heritage
April 18th Church Conference Lincolnshire Details here
April 24th-26th Northamptonshire Churches WI weekend
April 27th - 30th April Churches of the Peak District Tour Coach Tour
May 6th Friends of Essex Churches Tour
May 27th Sandringham WI
June 2nd Norfolk Church Tour for Sudbury U3A
June 3rd Barton Mills Club
July 8th and 22nd Norfolk Church Tours (see above)
July 9th Church Tour for the Diocese of Ely
July 14th and 21st Norfolk Church Tours (American groups)
July 23rd Essex Church Tour for The Arts Society
August 12th March U3A
August 13th Wisbech U3A
September 9th Bury St Edmunds Cathedral
September 10th Dereham U3A
September 16th Costessey WI
October 13th Watlington WI
October 15th for 5 weeks Sawbridgeworth Learning for Pleasure
October 17th Waveney Archaeological Society Conference
November 4th March Family History Society
November 12th Dereham Oddfellows
November18th ZOOM Nottinghamshire Family History Society
As ever, if you would like more details of any of the above just let me know.
Kind regards
John