What is it?
The Church Buildings Support Network is a form of support for parishes. The aim is to bring together people who are involved in looking after church buildings, to share experiences and resources and provide encouragement and support.
Who is it for?
Anyone involved (or considering becoming involved) in looking after church buildings - volunteers, paid workers, clergy, Friends Groups etc.
How does it work?
The network started in 2024 with a series of online meetings, but will be expanding in 2025 to offer monthly online sessions alongside regular in person events. These events will all be FREE and open to everyone involved with a church to attend and will include:
- In person drop-in surgeries where the Diocese buildings team will be available to answer your questions about faculties, funding and community engagement.
- Heritage Skills sessions – a chance to learn basic heritage maintenance skills.
- Training and talks on interpretation, technology, and Net Zero.
The network was launched in 2024 by Holly Robinson, and is now being managed by Samuel Pedlar, our Church and Community Support Adviser. A schedule for the meetings is copied below. Please look out for more information about each of the sessions in our newsletters, social media channels and the latest news on our website. Samuel will be present at all meetings, so please contact him if you have any questions or want more information on samuel.pedlar@elydiocese.org or 07539 916607.
Dates and Details of Church Buildings Support Network events
Zoom Meetings programme
All Zoom meetings will run on a Wednesday evening from 7.30 - 8.30pm unless otherwise advertised. You can book by emailing Samuel on samuel.pedlar@elydiocese.org, or booking online via our Training Portal.
Wall Paintings, Artefacts and Windows
Wednesday 10 December 2025
With Geoffrey Hunter and a Guest Speaker
Heating, Lighting and Net Zero
Wednesday 14 January
With presentations from Sacha Watson and Eco Church Champions
Focus on: Toilets and Kitchens
Wednesday 4 February
With Holly Robinson and a Guest speaker, there will be a Q&A session following a talk on the latest advice.
Focus on: Friends Groups and Festival Churches
Wednesday 4 March
With Samuel Pedlar and a Guest speaker, there will be a Q&A session following a talk on the latest advice.
Focus on: Insurance, Security and Theft - with Ecclesiastical Insurance
Wednesday 18 March
With a presentation by Joseph from Ecclesiastical Insurance.
Focus on: Bats, Birds and Churchyards
Wednesday 8 April
With Nigel Cooper and a Guest Speaker.
Focus on: Faculty and Permissions
Wednesday 6 May
With James Ryder and a Guest Speaker.
Focus on: Funding, Grants and Fundraising
Wednesday 3 June
With Holly Robinson and a Guest speaker, there will be a Q&A session following a talk on the latest advice.
Focus on: Church Maintenance
Wednesday 2 September
With Samuel Pedlar.
Focus on: Interpretation
Wednesday 7 October
With Samuel Pedlar and Holly Robinson.
Focus on: Accessibility
Wednesday 4 November
With Samuel Pedlar and a Guest speaker, there will be a Q&A session following a talk on the latest advice.
Focus on: Clocks, bells and furnishings
Wednesday 2 December
With Samuel Pedlar and a Guest speaker, there will be a Q&A session following a talk on the latest advice.
In-person Meetings programme
You can book by emailing Samuel on samuel.pedlar@elydiocese.org, or booking online via our Training Portal.
Project, Action and Friends Group event
Friday 6 February
- With Samuel Pedlar, Geoffrey Hunter and Holly Robinson
- In person at Etheldreda House and online via Zoom (Hybrid)
- 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Faculty and List B event
Wednesday 5 March
- With Sam Reeder and James Ryder
- In person at Etheldreda House
- 10.00am - 1.00pm
Festival Church event
March TBC
- With Samuel Pedlar and guests
- In-person at All Saints' Rampton
- 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Fundraising, Grants and Community Consultation event
April TBC
- With Holly Robinson and Samuel Pedlar
- In-person at Etheldreda House
- 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Festival Church event
May TBC
- With Samuel Pedlar and guests
- In-person at Etheldreda House, or a noted Friends Church
- 10.00am - 4.00pm
Fire Safety, Insurance, Health and Safety event
June TBC
- With Samuel Pedlar and Geoffrey Hunter
- In-person, Cambridge Archdeaconry, location TBD
- 10.00am - 3.00pm
Festival Week
July TBC
- With Samuel Pedlar
- Leightonstones, locations TBD
- All week
- Find out more about the 2025 Festival Week events
Festival Week
August TBC
- With Samuel Pedlar
- In combined deaneries of Huntingdon and Wisbech, locations TBD
- All week
Maintenance Training event
September TBC
- With Samuel Pedlar and a Church Architect
- In person, North of Huntingdon and Wisbech Archdeaconry, location TBD
- 10.00am - 3.00pm
Faculty and List B event
Monday 29 September
- With Sam Reeder and James Ryder
- In person at Etheldreda House
- 10.00am - 1.00pm
Fundraising, Grants and Community Consultation event
October TBC
- With Holly Robinson and Samuel Pedlar
- In-person at Etheldreda House
- 2.00pm - 5.00pm