A special event and awards ceremony to celebrate the often unsung heroes who look after church buildings.
Join us on Friday 20 November, at the start of National Maintenance Week, for a special free online event to shine a light on the people who look after local church buildings.
Guest speakers include Revd Fr Marcus Walker, Rector of St Bartholomew the Great, London, Sir Mark Jones, Chairman of the Pilgrim Trust and Luke March, Chairman of the National Churches Trust.
We will announce the winning local groups for The Nayler Awards: for excellence in church maintenance 2020, awarding £12,500 in prizes to go towards the care of one winning church and two runners up. These awards are supported by The Pilgrim Trust.
Friends' Vote 2020
We will also announce the winners and discover the projects nominated for the National Churches Trust Friends' Vote 2020.
The churches in the running to receive a special £10,000 Friends of the National Churches Trust vote are: St Machar's cathedral in Aberdeen (despite its name, actually a parish church), St Peter in Appleshaw in Hampshire, St Nicholas in Churchstoke, Montgomery and St James, Leckhampstead, Berkshire.
There will also be a chance to see exclusive clips from new videos about church maintenance created by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) produced with the assistance of Historic England and the National Churches Trust.
Catherine Townsend, Head of Church Support for the National Churches Trust said:
"Churches and chapels in our villages, towns and cities have extraordinary heritage value and significance. They are also places for the delivery of outstanding voluntary activities, as outlined in our recent report 'The House of Good'."
"Maintenance is absolutely essential to keep church buildings in good condition, open and able to welcome and serve the public. Much of this crucial work is organised or carried out on a voluntary basis by local people. Yet, their vital contribution is frequently unrecognised. Help us to change that and join us to celebrate their endeavours."
"This event is for people who look after local churches, chapels and meeting houses in the UK and for anyone who is passionate about the UK's unique heritage of faith buildings."
This free event is organised by the National Churches Trust in partnership with the Pilgrim Trust.
How to book a place
To join us, please register on our Eventbrite page