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Churches Conservation Trust

@visitchurches.bsky.social

160 followers 18 following 40 posts

Churches Conservation Trust cares for over 350 historic buildings with world-class art, architecture and archaeology spanning 1,000 years of history.

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Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Mar 4

Have a look at the future of St. Mary's Shrewsbury with us in this short documentary looking back at recent conservation work funded in part by
@heritagefunduk.bsky.social
and looking forward at our hopes for the future of this church: cctdigital.com/videos/cct-s... #conservation #stainedglass

Conservators working on stained glass in Jim Budd's studio

Conservator Jim Budd with new annunciation window

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Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · 47m

Today is #GiftAidAwarenessDay!
Every year, around £560 million of Gift Aid goes unclaimed – funds that could transform the work of charities across the UK. Have you ticked the box ?
It’s a simple step that makes your donation go 25% further.
Find out more: visitchurches.org.uk/giftaid

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · 23h

Tickets for the online version of the event can be found here: www.vam.ac.uk/event/1rOvyB...

Great Expectations Conference (Online) - Conferences and study days at Online · V&A

A major gathering to confront the challenges facing our historic churches, chapels and meeting houses. This event is generously sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance.

www.vam.ac.uk

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · 1d

What could the next 50 years look like for churches? Join policy makers, funders, heritage professionals and community leaders on 21 Oct at the V&A Museum in London
to find out.

⏰Time: 10:45am-1pm & 2:30pm-5pm

🎟️ Tickets: vam.ac.uk/event/4KVGa4...

#GreatExpectationsForChurches

A colourful image of a stained-glass window with three human figures. A figure in a blue robe with yellow halo is kneeling in front of two old men with long beards and head-wraps. One of the old men is pointing to a passage in a book on his lap. Pieces of glass in the faces of all three figures are missing due to vandalism.

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Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · 9d

Pub quiz: Why is the cardigan called "cardigan"? Read our September monument of the month blog to find out and see some breathtaking monuments at St. Peter's, Deene! Find the blog here: visitchurches.org.uk/what-we-do/b...

#MondayMood #MondayMonument #History

Photograph of a bronze Hippocampus, a winged horse with a fishtail (c) Andy Marshall

Interior view of the nave at St. Peter's, Deene. Tall pointed arches decorated with carvings, wooden pews, colourful Victorian floor tiles, Victorian stencilling in red and green on the walls above the arches and painted wooden ceiling panels. (c) Andy Marshall

Marble reclining statues with female statue lying on side facing male statue with thick moustache and long hair, looking at him lovingly. (c) Andy Marshall

Image of richly decorated sedilia painted with red and green stencilling and decorated with tiny life-like painted corbel heads and golden flourishes. (c) Andy Marshall

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Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Aug 18

Help us protect England's painted heritage! Over 80 of our churches house irreplaceable #wallpaintings, making us one of the most significant stewards of this fragile heritage. Help us protect them for future generations by donating to our Annual Appeal: www.visitchurches.org.uk/get-involved...

Ceiling painting in Little Barford, of an angel with detailed wings, holding a golden sign with the word INRI. The angel is painted inside a golden circle, inside a blue sky filled with stylised golden suns and stars. (c) Allen Stroud

Wall painting detail of a cat-like dragon at Broughton. (c) Andy Marshall

Interior of East Shefford, a small medieval church with primarily white-washed walls, simple wooden benches, a tiled floor and low step up to the chancel. The chancel arch is richly decorated with medieval wall paintings in red, showing an angel, suns and stars. (c) Andy Marshall

A wall painting detail of St. Christopher - here depicted as a giant man with blue eyes, red hair and a red beard - carrying the Christ child on his shoulder. The Christ child has red hair and a green-bluish dress. He blesses St. Christopher with one hand, while holding a globus cruciger - a ball with a cross on top, representing his sovereignty over the whole world - in the other. (c) Andy Marshall

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Aug 14

Did you know that you can spot a rare example of post-Reformation figurative painting at St. Nicholas’, Freefolk, Hampshire? Can you spot the figures of Time (with a scythe) and Death (digging) in the images? St. Nicholas is open daily. #wallpainting #visithampshire #History

Reposted by Churches Conservation Trust

Historic Environment Forum (HEF) @histenvforum.bsky.social · Jul 21

Today @histenvforum.bsky.social publishes the Historic Environment Overview 2024-25, celebrating the impact of England’s heritage sector in the last financial year. Produced with support from Historic England. Read the new report: historicengland.org.uk/research/her...
#Heritage #Resilience

Cover image of the report, text reads ‘Historic Environment Overview 2024-25, A report by the Historic Environment Overview’.

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Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jul 18

We were thrilled to win an award for the project to repair North Hill, St Torneys last night at the Cornish Buildings Awards. This work has allowed us to open the church for the local community again. Thanks to the Cornish Building Group
and all the wonderful craftspeople involved! #Heritage

Pictured are a selection of the craftspeople responsible for this outstanding project. (c) Cornish Building Group

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jul 15

Great news! Thanks to your generosity, we've reached our fundraising goal for the 'Raise the roof' campaign at St. Bartholomew's, Lower Basildon! Thank you to everyone who donated. Work set to begin this year.
More info here: visitchurches.org.uk/what-we-do/n... #Conservation #berkshire

Close-up view of a red tile church roof in poor condition with several broken and slipped tiles opening up holes in the roof. A crenellated red brick church tower can be seen in the background. (c) Peter Hawkins

Five people posing for a photograph in front of a pointed church archway. All are smiling, a man on the left in blue shirt is sitting down, to his right stands a woman in blue dress, next to her a tall man in jeans and blue and yellow checkered jumper, to his right another woman in a blue dress almost identical to the first woman's dress and to her right stands a woman in a pink dress, with a white vest top. All have grey hair, except the woman on the far right, who has black hair.

Full view of St. Bartholomew's, Lower Basildon, a historich church with flint covered porch and nave, three tall nave windows, a crenellated red brick tower and a corrugated iron roof.

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Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jul 10

Did you know you can nominate CCT for the #MovementforGoodAwards?
Every year the Benefact Group gives away over £1 million to charities and good causes.
This is a great way for you to help us protect historic churches and keep them open for communities: movementforgood.com/index.php?cn...

Community celebration at Croome, a long table with cake and flowers inside a historic church, surrounded by people in coats.

Our Conservation Projects Manager removing green microbiological growth from the floor of a church with a big brush.

Stained glass conservator Jim Budd installing a window with flemish roundels at St. Mary's Shrewsbury.

A group of volunteers on a sunny day in the churchyard at St. George's Portland

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 26

Find out about the swift rise and demise of the St. Paul family in our June #monumentofthemonth blog about the amazingly colourful effigies at St. Lawrence's, Snarford, Lincolnshire: www.visitchurches.org.uk/what-we-do/b...
We've got zealous protestants, greedy husbands and clever wives!
#Tudor

Effigies of Sir George and Lady Frances, both propped up on their elbows in a "toothache" pose in Jacobean dress.

Recumbent, praying effigies of Sir Thomas St. Paul and Lady Faith in Tudor dress.

Monument detail looking like a decorated cake, painted with green, red and gold details.

A colourful relief monument showing Frances Wray and her second husband Robert Rich, Earl of Warwick in Jacobean dress.

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Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 25

We are thrilled to announce that St. Torney's Church, in the care of CCT, is shortlisted for the prestigious Cornish Buildings Group Award! Huge thanks to the wonderful craftspeople who worked to transform this #historicchurch. Learn more: visitchurches.org.uk/what-we-do/n... #Cornwall

A before and after image of St. Torney's, showing on the left a church overgrown with ivy before conservation work and on the right a church without ivy, cleaner and healthier looking than on the left, after conservation work.

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 20

You don't have to live in London to experience art, culture and #FamilyFun this summer! Find #concerts , theatre, markets, talks & family days at a #historic church near you and beat the heat thanks to #medieval masonry! Find events near you: visitchurches.org.uk/whats-on/eve... #summerevents

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 18

Time travel this #WallpaintingWednesday at St. Thomas a Becket, Capel, Kent! See C12th consecration crosses, rare C13th scenes of Cain & Abel, C15th and C16th religious texts, plus decorative details. Check out our website for more info: visitchurches.org.uk/visit/our-ch... #Kent #medieval #history

C12th Maltese consecration cross illuminated by a shaft of light that shows it is deeply incised into the plaster of the wall, red and yellow paint remnants remain. Image (c) Andy Marshall

Swirly border of a frame painted onto the walls of St. Thomas A Becket in red. Image (c) Andy Marshall

13th Century wall paintings clustered around a window at St. Thomas A Becket, Capel, Kent. We can see scenes from the story of Cain & Abel, decorative patterns and a scene with many people, possibly the last supper. Image (c) Andy Marshall

Decorative zig-zag wall painting pattern in red and yellow on white ground (medieval). Image (c) Andy Marshall

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 11

This #WallpaintingWednesday take a look at Whitcombe Church, Dorset. This lovely church evokes the rustic atmosphere of old Dorset life and hosts colourful medieval wallpaintings that were uncovered during the restoration of the church in 1912. More info: www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/our-ch...

Wallpainting detail of St. Christopher carrying Baby Jesus on his shoulder. St. Christopher and the Christ Child both have flaming red hair and St. Christopher has a red beard. The Christ Child wears a green robe and blesses St. Christopher with his right hand, holding an orb in his left. (c) Andy Marshall

Wall painting of a mock reredos in red and yellow (c) Andy Marshall

Interior of Whitcombe church, a small single cell building, with whitewashed, partly exposed walls, a three light east or west window and dark wooden roof beams. Suspended from the ceiling are several white gas lamps in a neat row. (c) Andy Marshall

Close up of wall painting of mock reredos, imitating carved wood in red and yellow (c) Andy Marshall

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 9

Join CCT for just £3.50/month & access amazing lectures like Anna Keay's May 2025 talk on "The Restless Republic"! Learn about Britain's 11-year republic & the lives of those who lived through it in our latest blog. Discover more: visitchurches.org.uk/what-we-do/b... #HistoryLovers

Stained glass window at Low Ham church, mainly yellow glass, a sun panel at the top and beneath it three panels showing Mary, the cross and Jesus (c) Andrew Faulkner

Chancel arch at St. Margaret's, Knotting. The chancel arch is of two orders of bulbous chevron to the west and one plain one to the east. There are clear diagonal tool marks on most surfaces. The arches rest on imposts, the southern of which has been cut away, these in turn rest upon engaged columns with cushion capitals. A label runs around the arch.

Church interior of St. Mary's, Badley, a plain post-reformation church with whitewashed walls and pews with poppyheads.

Post-reformation wall paintings of Bible verses on the walls of All Saints, Leigh, Wiltshire

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 5

Thank you to @marshawards.bsky.social for your support! And of course our main thanks goes to all of our community supporters and volunteers. You are simply amazing and we’re lucky to have your support. #VolunteersWeek #VolunteersWeek2025

Pics 1) Team @ St Augustine Norwich 2) Team @ Vange

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Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 5

And we have our Volunteers of the Year for our different regions announced! Congratulations to Brenda Owens at 1719, Barry Wadeson in Northants and Tony &Lindsay Davies at Hartley Wintney, who are the winners of this years
@marshawards.bsky.social for Volunteer of the Year. #VolunteersWeek

Brenda with her craft set up inside 1719.

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Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 5

The @marshawards.bsky.social Volunteer Team of the Year is always hotly contested and this year the winners are the Friends of St Benedicts, Paddlesworth, congratulations! The team have organised an annual events programme including community walks, concerts &history talks. #VolunteersWeek

The Friends of St. Benedict's Paddlesworth posing for a photo outside the church.

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Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 5

What a delightful surprise, we have joint winners for the Fundraising
@marshawards.bsky.social : St Bartholomews, Lower Basildon and St Marys, North Huish are sharing the award. They both worked miracles to help raise funds, and the churches have a brighter future now. #VolunteersWeek

North Huish Team outside the church on a sunny day, posing for a photo, smiling

Part of the Lower Basildon team posing for a photo outside the front door of the church

Part of the Lower Basildon Team at a fundraising dinner, posing for a photo

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Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 5

We have just heard from Emma, one of our volunteers from St Anthonys in Cornwall. What a find to see the photo from the 1950s of volunteers back then looking after the church. The community has really taken it to heart and continues to do so. Thanks so much Emma. #VolunteersWeek

A powerpoint slide with light blue backdrop and a black and white image of two women gardening outside of St. Anthony's in the 1950s on the left alongside a dark blue box with black writing spelling "St. Anthony's then and now", and two pictures of the current volunteers, including a toddler, on the right.

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 5

The winner of the Marsh Awards for Achieving Impact is Victoria Simkin from St John’s Chapel in Chichester! In early 2024, the Friends of St John’s Chapel faced possible dissolution, but Victoria helped to recruit 25 new event volunteers! #VolunteersWeek

Victoria Simkin outside St. John's Chapel, Chichester

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 5

The winners of the Marsh Awards for Digital Initiative are The Friends of St Peters Wolfhamcote! Their strong digital presence has helped to raise the profile of the church, and they have recently recruited a social media volunteer and secured a new grant for a fundraising video. #VolunteersWeek

The Wolfhampcote team posing for a picture inside the church

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 5

We are hearing from volunteers, and have been moved by the story of the Yarburgh Team, who won the Achieving Impact
Marsh Awards last year and spent it on craft supplies. It is clear how much the recognition has meant, and how much the team are able to do with the prize money. #VolunteersWeek

Poppy decorations and a nativity christmas tree quilt made by the Yarburgh team from craft supplies bought with the prize money

Churches Conservation Trust @visitchurches.bsky.social · Jun 5

The winners of the new CCT Creativity Award have just been announced as Val Jones and Ray from St Martin’s Church, #Exeter! Congratulations! Through their work these two artists have brought visitors and life to St. Martin's. #VolunteersWeek