VISION PROJECT. Strategic Framework Securing St Laurence s. Serving the community

Transcription

1 VISION PROJECT Securing St Laurence s Serving the community Strategic Framework Ver. 7.3 May

2 Vision Project Securing St Laurence s Serving Ludlow STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK Introduction This document is an overview of what has been achieved since 2008 and what we hope to achieve in the next 5 years A quote from the most recent consultation: Of one thing there is no doubt, the people of St Laurence s love their church and are deeply involved with what should happen to it in the future in terms of worship, welcoming all comers, alternative uses, financial viability and restoration of the fabric. It is this powerful sense of belonging and ownership of the issues that gives such encouragement and hope for the future. A great debt of gratitude is owed to all those who took the trouble to think and to write so carefully [as part of] this consultation. The Rector the Venerable Colin Williams write: In summary the Vision project seeks to question the status quo, and in doing so to create a parish church whose central raison d etre is to be a place open to all who will come and engage with us so that we too in service of the Gospel can engage with them, a place where barriers are broken down and all can be made to feel that they belong ( a visible sign of that will be the creation of a space around our nave altar which is as open as possible). What we have achieved and are planning is not just a matter of dealing with the fabric of St. Laurence s, important though it is to remember that in this generation we have been entrusted with a great treasure. We do all that we do so that our building can itself be a focus for our outreach to the wider community in all its variety. We want to celebrate and share this sacred space, so much loved and valued by our local community treasured by many as the jewel in the crown that is historic Ludlow, so that by opening it up to our local community we can in every way imaginable touch hearts and minds with the love and power of the Risen Christ Uniquely among the parish churches of this diocese, our building provides us with a mission opportunity to celebrate and proclaim the Christian faith in the first decades of the twenty-first century. We must not hold on to the past or indeed the building as solely ours to own, but instead be prepared to embrace positive change and allow the community back into what is no primarily our space, but which is their space, to become a truly inclusive and outward looking community in the heart of the diocese, serving the town. St Laurence s, a unique creation of the medieval mind, is a threshold between things earthly and things heavenly, a place in which the boundaries between heaven and earth are very thin indeed. We have a real vision that people will walk through our doors as visitors and strangers and leave as pilgrims and friends. 2

3 1. Project Catalyst and Inception Catalyst 2007 Quinquennial Inspection o Nave floor breaking up o Chancel pinnacles dangerous condition o Heating failing Rector Rev d Dr Brian Curnew, Preb. Ann Barge Helen Coleman and Dr Ewart Carson Churchwardens, Don Beattie Consultant receive report from Shaun Ward ex Trevor Hewett Architects and new Director of Music on the potential for renewal: music, liturgy, nave re-ordering/community use It is clear that the church community and the building which it serves was at a significant junction - embrace change or accept decay Recognition that this was not simply about building works, but the need for fundamental renewal and investment in mission and life of St Laurence s Spring 2008 PCC appointed a professionally qualified part time Clerk of Works to oversee a repairs and maintenance, honorarium of 2.5k Rev d Andrew Mottram was appointed as an external consultant, project team formed Church community begin Healthy Churches Handbook process led by Andrew Mottram Formal Project starts: October 2008, project launched at Public Forum Ludlow Assembly Rooms o Clear support identified from community for change, opportunity for engagement of wider community o Any programme of major change would need wide and extensive consultation o Major threats identified at this stage included apathy, lack of engagement/ownership, opposition to change by vocal minority Late 2008 Project Co-ordinator post advertised, three applicants, Clerk of Works appointed Project Coordinator, voluntary post 2. Achieving Consensus Public, Statutory and Third Party Consultations a. Who? a. Public and Electoral Roll (ER) b. Consultative Group - representatives of organisations within Ludlow (CG) c. Statutory Bodies i. Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), and national Church Buildings Council (CBC) ii. English Heritage (EH) d. Third Parties i. Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) ii. Victorian Society (VS) b. When? i. First round 2009: Expert Panel, Town wide 4500 homes, ER ii. Second round 2012: Options appraisal: ER, public exhibition, CG, Statutory & Third parties iii. Third round 2014: Final proposal: ER, CG, Statutory & Third parties A summary of this process and the results is available Achieving Consensus, commended by statutory consultees on the thoroughness of the process 3. The journey begins - Objectives 2009 arising from first consultation a. Conserve the fabric including the replacement of roof coverings; a major phase of stone masonry repairs; conservation of stained glass, paintings, misericords and monuments. b. Create better facilities for wider community use - a building that meets the needs of the current users and allows greater use by the whole community, improving sustainability. c. Create an ordered interior providing clarity, more open space, free from clutter, more accessible and therefore enhancing the heritage. d. Provide a wide range of opportunities for learning and participation. e. As well as replacing basic services including lighting, audio systems, heating, flooring and amenities. 3

4 4. Gathering evidence - Research and Investigation a. St Laurence s Domesday A series of condition surveys and expert reports (see appendix): i. Building full condition report Andrew Arrol 1. Stonework 2. Tower Masonry 3. Roof timber survey 4. Lightning Conductor 5. Electrical 6. Asbestos ii. Fixtures and fittings 1. Clock & carillon 2. Monuments 3. Timber fittings 4. Wall paintings 5. Paintings 6. Stained glass 7. Textiles 8. Bells 9. Organ 10. Stonework 11. Tower masonry iii. Inventory b. Archival: i. Internal ii. Shropshire Records Office iii. Dennis King Norwich (stained glass) iv. National Archive (Kew) (burial ground) v. RIBA (textiles) vi. Royal School of Needlework (textiles) c. All summarised in Outline Conservation Management Plan d. Other papers have included: i. The inherited church building - a tool for mission and outreach ii. Seating in a re-ordered St Laurence's Church iii. Who does what? How many? When? Where? 5. Dreaming dreams Appointment of Project Architect, Feasibility Study and Options Appraisal 2012 Following the first consultation we embarked upon an extensive search for a project architect, over 27 applicants from across the UK, an working group compiled a short list, following site/office visits and interviews Andrew Aroll Surveyor to the Fabric of York Minister was unanimously appointed; subsequently also appointed as inspecting architect. We then researched and developed two options: option A (external extension) and option B (internal reordering), both included costings prepared by a quantity surveyor. We then carried out a further consultation on the above. In light of consultations and the expert reports PCC resolved to accept internal re-ordering as the most appropriate in meeting the mission needs of the church community. 4

5 6. What has been achieved so far Improved mission through nurturing core ministry, as well as engagement of local community and visitors pilgrims, including: Completion of Healthy Churches process in 2008 Development of outline MAP 2009 Development and adoption of Church Development Plan 2012 Investment and nurturing of worship, liturgy and music has led to: o A substantial increase in congregation size at major services, 700 Remembrance, 450 Nine Lessons, a rise from 150 at Christingle to 650 o A marked increase in regular weekly congregation by 20%, including a total of 10 under 18s at principle Sunday service and an increase in planned giving by 25% since 2010 o Provision of regular Sunday choral offices of Matins and Evensong o National recognition through corporate membership Friends of Cathedral Music o Organ scholarships, choral scholarships, successful past students appointed to other posts Improved welcome ministry: o A dramatic increase in visitor numbers 25k to 65k o A marked increase in visitor income from shop, donations box, tower lighting and visits: Shop 5k profit to 30k profit o o Increase use of church buildings: concerts, play groups, meetings, events Engagement through social media including over 550 friends on Facebook over 800 followers on Twitter No.1 visitor attraction on Tripadvisor in Ludlow In summary: o Re-established St Laurence s at the heart of the community o Overall increase from approximately 45k to over 100k users per year 2. A programme of repairs totalling approx. 825k including: a. Development and implementation of annual maintenance plan funded by PCC b. Target 1 Urgent repairs including: i. Conservation of 14 th stained glass roundels and interim repairs to other windows ii. Conservation of paintings including: Royal Arms and Ten Commandments iii. Repairs to roof flashings iv. Installation of roof access system v. Phase 1 of monument conservation vi. Repair of Parvis Room celling vii. Defrassing of tower and all pinnacles c. Target 2 Repair of Chapel roofs and Chancel and Nave pinnacles d. Provision of improved facilities i. Heat interim boiler plant ii. Light replacement LED light fittings iii. Kitchen new water boiler, coffee machine and storage iv. Experimental nave re-ordering communion rail, ligilium v. Declutter and freeing up of north aisle Where has the funding come from? 10% private gifts from congregation and close friends, very grateful, we need more, legacies etc 50% from the Conservation Trust for St Laurence's, an independent charity, substantially funded by legacy income, for which we are grateful, support them in their objectives The remainder from external grant bodies such as English Heritage and private trusts, as well as donations from local groups such as the Ludlow Methodist Church, Ludlow Civic Society and Ludlow Town Council Project has been entirely financially self-sufficient, including cost of delivery: planning, research, fundraising and oversight of works 5

6 Further outcomes beyond project objectives 1. Savings to PCC a. Heat - not only warmth, but a actual saving of 10-15k per year b. Light actual saving of 6k per year, 30k first five years and 60k over 10 years 2. Improved kitchen, helping to facilitate: events, stewarding, toddlers groups, more events and therefore improved income streams 3. Improved visitor experience and income streams through provision of: a. free Wi-Fi b. improved signage and shop c. additional donations boxes d. New: i. welcome leaflet ii. smartphone app iii. tour guide iv. children s leaflets v. foreign language guides vi. stained glass guide, vii. organ DVD 4. Launched Ludlow Arts: Classical a. Working with partners developed: i. Website, online ticketing, bi-annual brochure ii. Summer Festival at St Laurence s tickets sold in Furthermore we have improving countless connections and links, we continue to build relationships, old, new and existing and promote the project via extensive press coverage, Facebook, Twitter, Town and Church Evenings and have welcomed high profile visitors including the Prince of Wales 7. What's next? - Discerning way forward We have continued to develop and refine the main proposal to re-order the nave in light of consultations, both public and statutory. Following these consultations the PCC had an away Day in May 2014 to review the project, approve revisions and discuss the following items: Reflections from the past/patterns of changing mission Rector and PCC 1860s, 1960s, 1980s Church Size Theory the greater church and growing pains Engaging with a flow mission opportunities Changing church - making a commitment to change/cost of change Approved revised proposal embracing and living the Vision The success of the heat and light projects led to further revisions namely: Heating: By providing a modern heat plant and controls the existing cast iron radiators have been able to provide a constant and affordable background heat of 16C. Underfloor heating is therefore not necessary. Furthermore glass vestibules to the internal doors to the north and south are no longer necessary. Lighting: New LED light fittings have been provided with a life expectancy of 5-10 years. The existing MICC wiring has a shelf life of a further years and therefore new wiring and lighting can be removed from the HLF bid In the light of these amendments further consultation took place in October 2014 with English Heritage, with a particular focus on seating in the nave, an onsite agreement was reached and the PCC approved the revised plan in November Following a site meeting with EH/DAC in December positive support was given for the proposals, meaning we can now proceed with a Stage 1 HLF application. Further consultations will need to take place with SPAB, Vic Soc and CBC. 6

7 8. What's next Next two years a. Completion of the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) and St Laurence Domesday Book b. Consider new objectives in light of achievements, consultations and targets: i. Caring for the church community and its heritage; continuing to nurture growth and improvement ii. Sharing our story and the church building iii. Creating a welcoming and accessible space, using sustainable energy, enabling greater engagement iv. Celebrating our faith, church, history and heritage v. Contributing to the local and wider community c. Green Energy Project: i. Complete interim works to heating by addition of further radiators: chancel/vestry ii. Installation of Solar panels to generate electricity and provide income iii. Installation of Biomass heating plant and provide income d. Further urgent repairs that cannot wait beyond 2015: i. Installation of Fire alarm ii. Installation of Roof alarm iii. Conservation of Wall paintings to prevent loss 1. Provision of more sensitive lighting in the Parvis Room iv. Conservation of Textiles partly funded by the Church Buildings Council v. Further repairs to prevent further water damage: 1. Roof doors, gullies, tower lantern repointing, south aisle hood moulds These works are part funded by the Conservation Trust 50k, we await an application for 60k to Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund e. Restoration of Clock and Carillon as part of visitor experience i. An opportunity to conserve and celebrate part of our unique heritage in the nave ii. Improving access and education, including outreach projects iii. Potential to work with HLF in a project under 100k plus private donations f. Further improvements as community venue and to enable mission: i. Improved children s corner and educational activities ii. Improved community engagement and mission through: 1. Lunch club/afternoon teas 2. Networking breakfasts 3. Charity coffee mornings 4. Children s pilgrim tours: uniformed organisation and local schools 5. Continued musical outreach, Peter and Wolf, singing club, playgroup singing iii. Visitor audit iv. Phase 1 Internal re-ordering: 1. New nave altar, lectern and communion rail 2. Removal of south transept altar and communion rail and creation of multi-use medium space 3. Removal of south aisle pews and creation of multi-use large space 4. Removal of north and south aisle pew plinth to improve access 5. Provision of interim floor covering in these areas v. Provision of replacement chairs, thereby improving storage and providing free access vi. Provision of new sound system vii. Provision of concert piano and mobile organ console in negotiation with Arts Council viii. Provision of additional glass doors south entrance 7

8 g. Further improvements to visitor experience and income streams i. New booklets: misericords, clock, organ, Prince Arthur, roof bosses, concise history ii. New postcards iii. New improved website h. Preparation and Submission of Stage 1 HLF bid approx. 5 million including: i. Provision of replacement nave floor, including improved physical access ii. Improved Shop (south aisle), Kitchen and Toilets (north transept) iii. Major works of Conservation due by Stained Glass Phase 1 a. Great East and Commandments windows b. Remaining 5no. Chancel and St John s 2. Timber Phase 1 a. Organ case b. North transept and St John s Screen c. St John s Chapel: Baldachino d. Misericords 3. Monuments Phase 2 4. Textiles Phase 2 completing work not carried out in Roofs Phase 2: north transept 6. Porch and chancel tiled floor 9. Outcomes of will be: 1. Completed Green Energy project Income generated from both solar and biomass will: Help reduce hire costs of building, increasing use Help to fund costs incurred in development of HLF project o Loan from St Giles 25k o Funding Study 7.5k o Stained Glass report 2.5k o Architect remaining fees 10k Help provide a sustainable income to the PCC for the next 20 years: 21k per annum 2. Completion of further urgent repairs k 3. Further improvements and increased use as community venue: seating, piano, phase 1 re-ordering etc 4. Submission of HLF stage 1 bid a. Stage 1 spring 2016 b. Stage 2 late 2016 c. On site 2017 d. Complete 2018/19 8

9 10. Actions moving forward 1. Strategic Framework a. Core group produces draft late 2014/early 2015 b. PCC considers on 22 May and adopts c. Publish early June i. Share with consultative group ii. Distribute summary/newsletter to ER/public iii. Mount exhibition and public forum etc iv. Distribute to Statutory and Third party consultees 2. Funding and Resourcing Strategy a. Carry our funding research March/April b. Develop draft spring 2015, proposal to PCC May 2015 c. Carry out resource study with private individuals 3. Carry forward remaining consultations with CBC, Vic Soc, SPAB etc 11. Works deferred beyond current projects: Ver.7.3 May 2015 a. Tower masonry b. Tower roof c. Timber fittings phase 2 d. South porch stone masonry e. South transept and chancel roof Total 800k 9