Sir Michael Palin backs blueprint to save UK’s churches
by Aine Fox, Independent:
The tackling National Churches Trust said the risk to church buildings is the single biggest heritage challenge facing the UK.
Sir Michael Palin has called for urgent action to save churches across the UK, which he described as “tremendously important local heritage”.
The Monty Python star, who is vice-president of the National Churches Trust, warned of the “many” church buildings in danger of closing.
He has backed a six-point plan by the organisation to save the UK’s churches, which the trust said often serve communities as foodbanks and youth clubs – as well as places of worship.
While there are around 38,500 churches, chapels and meeting houses open for worship in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the trust said more than 3,500 churches have closed for good since 2013.
It warned that more could end up having to shut their doors if action is not taken, “putting at risk nationally significant heritage”.
The trust described its Every Church Counts plan as tackling “the single biggest heritage challenge facing the UK” warning there are now more than 900 places of worship on the Historic England heritage at-risk register, with 53 more added to the list in 2023.
The trust has called for more public funding, said churches should open seven day a week where possible with their use extended to include more community support services – recognising that they are the UK’s National Help Service – and for a strategy to be set out to increase tourism to historic churches.
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