Building conservation should not be dismissed as an archaic field of practice, says Brian Clark, of The Churches Conservation Trust. Instead it should be viewed as a vital portal through which we can gain insight and understanding of how traditional materials can be used to create beautiful and long-lasting buildings of the future.
For over 40 years, The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) has played a unique role in national life. Without this charitable organisation hundreds of irreplaceable historic buildings might have disappeared entirely. Instead many have once again become the focus of active community life.
The Trust began life in 1969 as the Redundant Churches Fund, a unique partnership between Church, State and the Charity sector. The 1960s were difficult days for historic churches. Many were falling into disrepair and some were threatened with demolition at a time when historic buildings were sometimes seen as an impediment to progress. No mechanism or organisation existed for caring for churches in parishes that felt they could no longer afford to keep going.
Since then the CCT has saved over 340 buildings which attract 1.5million visitors a year and generate over £15m of business in local communities using core funding of just £4.5m, this includes a direct boost of £10m to the local economy. Their unique collection of English parish churches includes irreplaceable examples of architecture, archaeology and art from 1,000 years of history.
An architect himself, Brian Clark joined the Trust nine years ago as South West Regional Manager, and is passionate not only about saving these national treasures but also in providing them with the tools to help them prosper as focal points for their communities in the centuries to come.
“We do not want to become the graveyard of retired churches,” explains Brian. “Our aim is to return these buildings to the heart of their local communities. Because we will have these buildings for the next 200 years or so we need to be able to afford to maintain them. To this end, these buildings need to earn their keep, such as venues for concerts and the like. One of our buildings is now home to a circus school with probably the most sophisticated high wire outside of London.”
The main challenge in saving these historic structures is in understanding how to work with the grain and fabric of the traditional materials used in their conservation work. Work that Brian believes has much to teach the modern construction industry.
“Not only do these traditional materials create beautiful buildings, they create long-lasting buildings. There is no reason why the craft and skills of the stonemasons and carpenters who help repair and replace parts of these old buildings cannot be used in modern buildings. The use of stone and timber provide great longevity to a structure and it’s time people understood the worth of these traditional materials.”
The CCT often hosts courses for local councils and heritage skills bodies at their various projects. Members of the public or trade can visit and learn how to use these traditional materials correctly, for example how to lime wash or how to dress stone. For further information contact The Churches Conservation Trust on: 020 7213 0660 or visit their website: www.visitchurches.org.uk.
