CHURCH SEES LARGE RISE IN WORSHIPPERS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

The commissioning of a new Anglican church in Belgrave, which worships in a range of languages, in 2012, has boosted numbers

Church sees large rise in worshippers

by Tim Healy

Nearly 2,000 people have joined Church of England congregations across Leicestershire, a survey has revealed.

Many parishes are reporting that numbers attending services are on the increase following years of decline.

The figures for 2012 have just been published by the Diocese of Leicester, from responses sent in by more than 300 churches.

It means that across the diocese, more than 22,000 people are now regular members of an Anglican worshipping community.

The Bishop of Leicester the Rt Rev Tim Stevens said: "These figures reveal that in times of austerity people are looking for deeper satisfaction and meaning in their lives.

"Churches that are welcoming, responsive and prayerful increasingly meet that need."

The survey detailed many reasons people were prompted to find out more about the Christian faith, with a newer form of all-age, more creative church entitled Messy Church being one of the most popular.

A new multilingual congregation in All Saints, Belgrave was set up last year.

A parish spokesman said: "We have managed to reach out, resulting in 16 people being baptised, including those of other faith backgrounds."

Other churches have been involved in projects to feed those in need.

In Ashby, the CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Midlands National Forest Centre has continued to provide debt counselling and advice to an increasing number of clients.

The Rev Barry Hill, who is responsible for mission in the diocese, said: "This report brings much good news, not least that more than 22,000 Christians of all ages are showing they live, work, study, play and socialise together and that God makes a difference in their lives, in that there is much more with Jesus than without.

"The most reassuring trend is that the increase is a small and steady trend across a large number of churches, so is likely to be sustainable."

About 12,500 people attend worship on an average Sunday, and a further 3,000 on weekdays.

The number of people who attended Anglican services at Christmas 2012 was 36,800 – the highest number since 2008.

Details from the parish showed the majority of churches surveyed, 215, had Sunday congregations of fewer than 50.

There were 40 congregations of between 51 and 100, 16 between 101 and 150, nine of 151 to 250 and two of more than 250.

However, the parish returns show the average age of a worshipper remains about 14 years older than the population as a whole. This is illustrated by 465 members of churches dying in the past year.

The research, conducted annually, is available in full on the Diocese of Leicester website: www.leicester.anglican.org

CASH BOOST FOR FOOD BANKS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

The Dean of Leicester Cathedral, the Very Rev David Monteith, visits FareShare

Cash boost for food banks

by Adrian Troughton

The new Dean of Leicester has announced an increase in support for food banks.

The Very Rev David Monteith revealed the Diocese of Leicester was to give FareShare Leicester £10,000 a year – up from last year's £5,000.

The Dean made the announcement as he visited the headquarters of FareShare Leicester, on Oaks industrial estate, off Coventry Road, Narborough.

Mr Monteith said: "It was pleasure to visit the FareShare organisation and to be able to announce that the diocese is to double its financial support.

"This increased support should enable this organisation to plan ahead with confidence and not to have to worry about meeting administration costs."

FareShare is an international movement which receives food from shops and factories and gives it to churches, charities and community groups to distribute to the poor.

Nearly 50 food banks will be running in the county by the end of June – double the number that were open a year ago.

Mr Monteith said the work FareShare does was becoming increasingly relied upon as more people struggled in the financial climate.

He said: "It is extraordinary that in our society, which is relatively wealthy, there are many people who just can't put food on the table for their families.

"The number of people who have to be helped in this way is growing."Throughout the diocese we are coming across increasing cases of hardship, people who, quite simply, are relying on organisations such as FareShare to keep them going."

John Willetts, project director of FareShare Leicester, said: "The priority that David Monteith has given to this visit highlights what the churches, cathedral, diocese and FareShare Leicester are doing to support the marginalised and disadvantaged in our community.

"As our founding partner, the diocese has always given us great support."

Jonathan Kerry, chief executive and diocesan secretary, said: "The Diocese of Leicester is delighted to give additional support to FareShare Leicester.

"We are doubling our annual contribution to help FareShare have a secure organisational base and to mean that money it raises from other sources goes more directly to benefit those working with people in our communities."

CHRIST IN THE CENTRE FACES FUNDING CRISIS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Christ in the Centre faces funding shortfall

An urgent appeal has been made for donations to meet a shortfall in funding for a re-enactment of Christ's crucifixion.

Organisers of the Christ in the Centre play are about £8,500 short of the £43,000 total they need for the event on Good Friday.

The event, which is in its 11th year, attracts about 10,000 people, who watch the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus in Humberstone Gate, Leicester.

Event trustee Jonathan Wheeler has urged people to help them reach their target.

He said: "If you have enjoyed the event, if it has made a difference to your life, then we would encourage you to make a donation.

"We cannot run this on fresh air and goodwill.

"If we don't reach the total we need this year, the event will still go ahead.

"But what will probably happen is that we will go into the next year without any reserves and that might mean scaling it back considerably.

"We would have to have a very deep think about whether the current event remains financially viable."

Increased staging and security costs and the addition of a second performance have pushed up prices by about £3,000 since last year.

The Rev Stephen Foster, joint chair of the event's organising committee, said the extra performance was added due to public demand.

The event receives a £10,000 grant from the Diocese of Leicester and £2,000 from Leicester City Council, with the rest of the costs met by donations from churches, individuals and charities. Mr Foster said: "We have some wonderfully loyal supporters who have donated to the cause over the years.

"But several of them have indicated that they cannot be as generous this year as they have in the past, which is understandable."

Christ in the Centre will be staged in Humberstone Gate on Good Friday, March 29, at 11am and 2pm.

Donations can be made to Jonathan Cryer, CitC treasurer, 4 Honeybourne Close, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5JP. Cheques should be made out to 'Christ in the Centre'.

CHURCH IS YOURS FOR £175,00

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Church is yours for £175,000

A buyer with £175,000 and a little imagination is needed to take over an empty city church.

St Barnabas, in New Humberstone, closed in 2010 when the Diocese of Leicester decided congregation numbers had dwindled too low to maintain the Grade-II listed Victorian building.

It has room for hundreds of worshippers but, before it closed, only about 20 people attended the Christian services in what has become a mostly Hindu neighbourhood.

The church has now been put on the market with Andrew Granger & Co.

Estate agent Elizabeth Lewin said: "St Barnabas is a fine example of Victorian architecture – it's a beautiful building and the gothic interior creates a great first impression.

"It's really important that we find a buyer who will be sympathetic to the building and its past.

"When we've sold churches in the past it's been about finding someone to stick around to get planning consent because applications about a church are going to be more considered than with another building of a similar age."

The church has planning permission for class B1, which means it could be used as a creche or for education, as well as its former use as a place of worship.

Other possibilities suggested by the estate agents include health centre, art gallery, museums or library.

Elizabeth said: "Because there's no parking it's limited to further development such as flats, but that's not to say someone can't come up with a far-out idea. A community use is most likely."

She said the new owner would find it challenging to get any major changes to the building approved by Leicester City Council.

Most churches are sold on to the open market, but a few are adopted by the Churches Conservation Trust because of their heritage value.

David Gillman, who works as a consultant on getting the best use out of empty churches, said St Barnabas could be hard to sell.

He said: "The church is very near a well-appointed Hindu temple, so there is little requirement for it as a place of worship for the large Hindu population in that area.

"It is a large building and it's not going to be easy to find a new use for it."

Leicester Victorian Society spokesman Graham Lees welcomed the decision to try to sell the church.

He said: "St Barnabas is one of the buildings we identified as one of the 10 most important city buildings at risk of falling into ruin.

"What we hope happens is that someone buys the building and is sympathetic to its character and significance.

"It is a great example of Victorian architecture and it is vital to retain this part of the city's past.

"We do not want it standing empty for ages. A quick sale would be most welcome."

Anyone interested in the building can ring Elizabeth on 01509 243720 or e-mail: elizabeth.lewin@ andrewgranger.co.uk

CHURCH PLAN NOT AT EXPENSE OF OTHERS

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Church plan not at expense of others

As the person responsible for delivering the exciting new Cathedral Gardens project, I can't let the letter headed 'Focus on the social issues, not gardens' (Leicester Mercury, Saturday, September 22) pass without response.

So I'm particularly disappointed that the writer didn't feel able to put their name to their views – not least because they clearly know quite a bit about the operations of the Diocese of Leicester, and their point of view deserves a more thorough response than simply another letter. But in the circumstances, that's all I can do.If I had the person in front of me, I'd want to ask them – "why do you think we have to choose?"

Surely this person will be aware of the wide range of work already going on which focuses on social issues, in parishes up and down the city and county, and through centrally-resourced projects.

That includes work with asylum seekers, separated families, young people and those on very low incomes.

It's true that one particular way of working, with a whole lot of associated administration and infrastructure, has been wound up.

That doesn't mean the work stops – it may even free up more resources to do it, not least through the outreach work going on in St Martin's House – which contains far more than the "opulent conferencing and banqueting facilities" your correspondent mentions, though it's kind of him/her to remind people we do also have that resource to offer, and to earn money for our other work in addressing social issues!

But to address the issue head on – is it never right to invest money in capital projects?

If so, then all our churches and community buildings – not to mention our homes and gardens – will eventually fall down, never to be replaced.

And is it never right for the Church to partner with people of goodwill and secular authorities for the greater good, as in this case? In which case we'd better not only abandon all our cathedrals, but also very many of our social projects, which rely on just those sorts of partnerships.

That's why I think criticism of Cathedral Gardens based on the argument "the money could be spent better on the poor" is fundamentally mistaken.

This is in part because the money is not being given for that purpose, but more importantly because sometimes it's important to do something more than spend all our money on the poor.

Jesus himself rebuked Judas when he complained that money was apparently "wasted" on an extravagant gesture.

The principle is the same: the poor will always be with us, and we will always be active in meeting their needs.

Sometimes other things are equally worth doing as well. Cathedral Gardens is definitely one of them.

Pete Hobson, director, St Martin's House, Leicester

IS THE DIOCESE "TURNING ITS BACK" ON FOUR HISTORIC CITY CHURCHES?

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Is the diocese "turning its back" on four historic city churches?

The Leicester Citizen, journal of the Leicester Civic Society, is always an interesting read and its thought-provoking articles are never afraid to broach difficult subjects.

In his chairman's page, Stuart Bailey states the visit to Leicester by the Queen at the start of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations was "a highlight of recent months".

He observes the Queen visited Leicester Cathedral for the first time and that "from her reaction (she) was suitably impressed by this beautiful building and its setting".

Mr Bailey then goes on to say that our cathedral, "while not one of the great historic cathedrals with monastic origins and world heritage status… can claim an intimate connection with the ancient city".

He says: "When you enter the cathedral closes at Exeter, Lichfield or Wells, you are instantly in a world apart. In Leicester, however, the cathedral has always felt to be an integral part of our city."

Mr Bailey states that the society is working with the cathedral authorities over the proposed Cathedral Gardens that will, it is hoped, "create a truly attractive open space and undo the damage inflicted by the poor 1980s design, which itself replaced the churchyard".

This is all very positive and encouraging. However, Mr Bailey adds a sobering paragraph: "Of course, it's not all sweetness and light.

"In being welcomed at our cathedral, the Queen would have been unaware of the Diocese of Leicester's heritage at risk, in the form of no fewer than four historic churches, all listed buildings, three Victorian and one early Medieval – St Saviour's, St Paul's, St Barnabas and the 12th century St Peter's Belgrave – now closed for worship."

Elsewhere in the journal we read: "One church building at risk is one too many, but Leicester now has four.

"Their plight is the result of the Diocese of Leicester deliberately turning its back on its own built heritage."

So how does the diocese answer this?

"In no sense has the diocese 'walked away' from these beautiful buildings," says a diocese spokesman.

"It is always a matter of sadness when a church building is no longer able to be used for its original purpose, because these places have always played a very important part in the life of the community and carry vital memories for many.

"This sense of loss is heightened when the building also has significant architectural or historical features.

"The diocese, which has responsibility for seeking alternative uses for closed Church of England buildings, works very hard to safeguard this heritage, even though it is often very difficult to find a suitable new use.

"Meanwhile, we do all we can to protect and maintain these empty buildings against the ravages of time, the weather and, increasingly, thieves and vandals.

"At the same time, we face the challenge of resourcing the churches which remain open.

"We welcome such practical and financial support as is available from other agencies, but the majority of the money has to come from the Church's own resources. We never shirk our responsibilities."

"PRIVILEGE" AS ARCHDEACON TO BE BISHOP

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

"Privilege" as archdeacon to be Bishop

An archdeacon of Leicester is to become a Bishop.

Venerable Richard Atkinson, currently archdeacon at Leicester Cathedral, has been appointed as Bishop of Bedford, in the Diocese of St Alban's.

The archdeacon, who has worked in the city and east Leicestershire for 10 years, said: "I am very much looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities.

"It has been a great privilege to be part of such a good team in a city and county where God has shaped me in so many ways."

During his time in Leicester, he founded the St Philip's Centre, in Evington, set up to increase engagement with people of other faiths.He also helped organise the revamp of the former Leicester Grammar School building, to create St Martin's House, a conference venue and outreach centre for the Diocese and Cathedral of Leicester.

The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens said he would be missed.

"I will personally be very sad to see Richard leave the Diocese of Leicester, as he has been an excellent colleague over many years, who has brought real creative energy to his Archdeaconry and the wider Diocese in so many ways," he said.

"I am, however, very happy to see Richard's talents and skills used by the Church in this new role in the Diocese of St Alban's, and know we will all want to wish Richard, Helen and their family well."

There will be a farewell service at Leicester Cathedral on Saturday, April 28, at 6pm.

"CREATIVE" BUYER WANTED FOR 12TH CENTURY CHURCH

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

"Creative" buyer wanted for 12th century church

A medieval church which has stood empty for more than six months has been put up for sale.

Grade II-listed St Peter's, in Belgrave, Leicester, went on the market this week.

The church was shut in November last year, despite fierce opposition from worshippers and Leicester Civic Society.

It has since been targeted by thieves and vandals who have stolen lead from the roof and decapitated the statue of St Peter that stands in the doorway.

Leicester estate agent Andrew Granger & Co has set a guide price of £150,000.

Surveyor Elizabeth Watson said: "It is a very lovely church. It needs protecting and that's just how it is with buildings like this.

"We are inviting interested people to get in touch and we are happy to give them advice on whether their ideas for development are suitable.

"It could be a library for instance. It could be a nursery, but while the building is in good repair, it would need some work for this use.

"Basically, a person with some good creative ideas would be ideal."

The church was built in the 12th century, but many additions have been made to it over the years, including Edwardian choir stalls and a Victorian vestry.

The earliest slate headstones in the churchyard are dated 1689 and there are a number of memorials to the First World War and the Boer War inside the building.

Its historic and architectural significance mean strict guidelines on development are in place.

The church is being sold on the instructions of the Church Commissioners for England and Leicester Diocesan Board of Finance, who are also in the process of selling St Saviours, Highfields, and St Gabriel's, Rushey Mead.

A document released by the Church of England to give advice to potential developers said: "Many suitable new uses have been found for closed churches, including places of worship for other Christian bodies, civic, cultural or community use, arts and crafts or music or drama centres."

Liz Hudson-Oliff, of the diocese of Leicester, said they hoped for a quick sale.

She said: "One does not like to see such a building lie empty for any length of time, because it is then that you get problems with vandalism and the like.

"We would hope for a quick sale and for it to be turned into something appropriate.

"The church was put on the market because there were too many churches in the area for the amount of people using them."

Leicester Civic Society has welcomed the announcement that the building is on the market.

Chairman Stuart Bailey said: "That was very quick indeed and I am delighted. However, as I said back before it shut, it will be very difficult to use this building for anything other than a church, because of its listed status.

"I fear that a suitable buyer will not be found, but would love to see it brought back into use in a suitable way."

FOR SALE: ONE HISTORIC CHURCH - GUIDE PRICE £250,000 TO £750,000

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

For sale: one historic church - guide price £250,000 to £750,000

It’s a striking example of gothic Victorian architecture , and part of the legacy of a world-famous designer. Yet it is disused, falling into disrepair and up for sale. Adam Wakelin reports

St Saviour's Church used to have its name stuck on the front in plastic letters. Many have now fallen off or been stolen. It is ST VIOU S C CH now. Oddly appropriate, perhaps. A gibberish sign for a boarded-up building that doesn't make much sense around here any more. Not as it is, anyway.

Assistant surveyor Joe Welch, of Andrew Granger & Co, is sliding back the last of the heavy bolts on a side door when the Mercury arrives for a viewing.

Inside, the temperature drops like a brick. It's cold enough to stiffen a line of washing, even on a sunny day like this one. Boards nailed across the windows to deter vandals keep the interior in darkness.

Joe goes to switch on the lights. When they come on, it is easy to see why the building is Grade II* listed. Standard estate agent blurb doesn't begin to do somewhere like this justice.

That's probably why Andrew Granger & Co hasn't bothered with it. The building's sale brochure sets aside superlatives and sticks to thefacts:

A large Victorian gothic church designed by architect Sir George Gilbert Scott; red brick with a stone spire and slate roof, built in 1875-77, the last and largest church of the man who built the Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras and the Albert Memorial. To be sold as a job lot with the next door neighbourhood centre, a former school. Guide price: £250,000 to £750,000.

"We want to focus on the fact that here is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a wonderful piece of Leicester's heritage and really bring it back into use," says Joe.

Doing that comes with all manner of complications – and it tells the story of just how difficult it is to stop some of Leicestershire's best buildings falling empty and derelict.

You don't have to be religious to be awed by a building like St Saviour's. Inside and out, the sheer size of the place is enough to draw a gasp.

It really is magnificent, a muscular monument to Christianity that has towered over everything else in this corner of Highfields for more than 130 years.

The building is big in thought and deed. Four rows of long pews stretch into the distance, lolly stick-small in Gilbert Scott's cavernous space. Once, 1,000 worshippers flocked here to be spiritually uplifted and consoled, and they were comfortably accommodated.

Not any more. St Saviour's has been closed for six years. The last time it was anything like full must have been decades ago.

Most of the fixtures and fittings have been stripped out, removed to stop them being burned or smashed by vandals who used to break in before the building was made more secure.

A few things remain. You can see how its congregation fell away in the framed Christening lists that still hang on one wall. In the 1970s there were five or six new names being added every month. By the early 90s, there would be one. Often not even that.

But St Saviour's was on borrowed time even as its mortar began to dry. Leicester's religious impulse was already beginning to wane.

As early as the 1890s, Church of England attendance began a slow but inexorable decline.

The veil-wearers and men with beards walking past the building today tell you what happened next without saying a word.

Religion again thrives around St Saviour's. There is no shortage of believers in Highfields, but this is now an overwhelmingly Muslim area.

In 2005, the church was closed. Three years later, Leicester City Council decided not to renew its lease on the nearby neighbourhood centre. It too was boarded up. Leaving the buildings to rot was never an option. But what do you do with them?

The Diocese of Leicester, along with Andrew Granger & Co, has been working on that for several years.

There are more than 300 CofE churches in Leicestershire. They form some of the county's finest architecture, yet some are ruinously expensive to repair and maintain as congregations dwindle.

The decision to close a church is never taken lightly, says Andrew Roberts, acting secretary for the Diocese of Leicester.

Sometimes, though, there is no other option. Selling a building is better than letting it fall down.

Six city and county churches are on the market or under offer: St Saviour's, St Peter's Church in Belgrave, St Gabriel's Church off Gipsy Lane, St Paul's Church in Kirby Road, St Peter's Church in Saxby and St James' Church, Snibston in Coalville.

Selling those properties is a lot more complicated than you might think.

St Saviour's Church, like many of the others, is a listed building.

Neither English Heritage nor the local planning authority will allow a development that compromises its character or architectural integrity. Even something as basic as removing the pews will have to be justified.

Then there are the Church Commissioners who have to be satisfied.

They handle the sale of the building on behalf of the diocese – and they have to be assured it will be put to good use.

It would not be deemed appropriate, for example, to turn a church into a pub or betting shop, says Mr Roberts.

And there lies the conundrum. In St Saviour's you have beautiful, historic Christian building in an area that's nice enough, but not particularly upwardly mobile or wonderfully served by transport links.

Nothing is an easy fit with Gilbert Scott's grand gothic vision.

The estate agents and the diocese have attracted some criticism for allowing the building to stand empty for so long.

But making a quick sale then seeing it fall through because the buyer got bogged down in planning problems would not have been sensible, says Joe.

To prevent that, they have worked with English Heritage and Leicester City Council to develop a planning brief for the church and neighbourhood centre. This outlines potential future uses of the buildings and provides general guidance on acceptable alterations.

Options for the church include: keeping it as a place of worship; turning it into a community centre, creche or day nursery; creating an art gallery or museum; or using it as an educational or medical centre.

It could also be converted into offices, flats or even a hotel – although any residential conversion will be challenging due to the difficulties of sub-dividing the building without compromising its architectural integrity.

Would an upmarket hotel or swanky apartments work in Highfields?

It's hard to see how.

"It's one of those buildings where we'll have to let the market decide what to do with it," says Joe.

Anyone interested in making a bid has to do so before July 1. The best options will go forward to be developed further.

The asking price of between £250,000 and £750,000 reflects the different uses to which the building could be put.

The Church Commissioners won't let the building be sold for a song, but cash won't be the only consideration. A third of the proceeds will go to the Churches Conservation Trust, which looks after closed churches, and the remainder will go to funding social and community work.

The first preference is often to retain a church for a denomination of Christian worship, says Mr Roberts. If that's not possible, then they would probably like to see at least some of the site put to community use.

Perhaps the old school could accommodate something more commercial, and the church could be opened up to benefit local residents.

"It is finding the right balance to make the site work in a social and commercial sense," he says. "Sometimes you get schemes that are residential conversions and they are sympathetic. No-one likes selling churches, but you can't just let them fall down. It is about finding an appropriate use for them."

TWO CHURCHES TO CLOSE IN LEICESTER THIS MONTH OVER COSTS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Two churches to close in Leicester this month over costs

Two churches will close this month because the diocese can no longer afford to keep them open.

St Peter's, off Thurcaston Road, Belgrave, Leicester, and the nearby St Gabriel's, in Kerrysdale Avenue, will hold their final services on Sunday, June 27.

A day later, both buildings will be officially shut.

The decision was taken after a long consultation about their future and an unsuccessful campaign to save the 11th century St Peter's.

From next month, St Alban's, in Weymouth Street, will be the only church serving Belgrave.

Father Tony Coslett, team rector for the parish, said: "This is not about failure. It is not about retreat. It is about re-grouping. When a church closes it is remarkably sad. I am gutted.

"St Alban's will now become a powerhouse of the parish.

"We look forward to serving the community from this church.

"The Church of England is still committed to this area. We will still have a lot going on."

He said the closures were not solely for financial reasons.

However, the parish has faced a drop in numbers at services, dwindling collections and escalating bills, meaning it could only afford to keep one church open.

The parish chose St Alban's because it said it had better facilities and was cheaper to run.

A public consultation prompted 135 letters of protest at the plans, most concerning the closure of St Peter's. Despite that, in February, the Church of England upheld the parish's proposals to decommission the buildings.

Church Commissioners said the parish only needed one building. Ian Bewley-Parker, 71, who worshipped at St Peter's for most of his life and used to be churchwarden, said the decision to close the churches was "stupid".

Janet Lucas, who lives near the church, said: "They have shot themselves in the foot.

"I do not think they are going to get the people in St Alban's."

She said she hoped the churches would have a public open day before their doors were bolted, for the benefit of the community as well as the congregations.

St Peter's is a grade II-listed building with a history dating back to 1082.

St Gabriel's was built in the mid-1960s.

It has not been decided what will happen to the buildings after they close.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Leicester said following the closures on June 28 the management of the churches would be handed from the parochial church council to the diocese's board of finance.

He said: "There will be a series of meetings and discussions between interested parties about the future of the buildings.

"These could include talks between people including the city council and English Heritage. It will be an ongoing process."

The final services on June 27 will get under way at St Peter's at 3pm and at St Gabriel's at 6.30pm.

LEICESTER CATHEDRAL PLANS "WILL WIPE OUT HISTORY"

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Leicester Cathedral plans "will wipe out history"

Conservation experts say plans to create a square outside a cathedral would remove "everything of historical importance" from the area.

The Diocese of Leicester wants to develop the space around Leicester Cathedral into a public square able to hold concerts for more than 1,000 people.

The project has been recommended for refusal by Leicester's conservation advisory panel, an independent body which advises the city council on planning applications.

Its two main objections centre on the removal of headstones and fears that ancient pathways, such as St Martin's Walk East and West, will be "lost in the proposals".

Richard Gill, chairman of the panel, said: "The headstones are characteristic of the area and some of the examples, I'm told, are originals.

"The walkways are ancient routes and we cannot lose that."

A spokesman from the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society said: "We have some major concerns about these proposals, particularly the loss of headstones and the loss of ancient pathways."

A report of the panel's meeting to consider the plans, which took place last month, reads: "The panel felt that the proposed scheme did not enhance or preserve the area as it was destroying everything that is aesthetically and intrinsically pleasing.

"How can it possibly preserve or enhance the historic environment when everything of historical importance is being swept away?

The panel also voiced concerns that underlying archaeology and burials would be compromised.

The diocese says the headstones would be replaced by an alternative memorial.

The diocese wants to spend £12m on the three-stage project – which involves creating a Cathedral Square, turning the former Leicester Grammar School buildings into St Martin's House for social outreach work and changing the cathedral so it lets in more light.

Earlier this year, the city council indicated it could not help with the £2m needed for Cathedral Square, so the project is believed to be in limbo.

The Ven Richard Atkinson, Archdeacon of Leicester, said: "The diocese is continuing to progress plans for the square.

"We note the observations of the Conservation Panel and believe the emerging plans will provide a public space of high quality that respects the past and opens up the future."

Leicester Civic Society has previously said it has no objections to the plans.

The conservation advisory panel has no powers of determination but about 80% to 90% of its recommendations are agreed by the planning committee's final decision.

The plans also need approval from the Cathedrals' Fabric Commission for England, which is discussing them but is thought to be supportive.

CENTURIES OF HISTORY WILL END WITH LEICESTER CHURCH'S CLOSURE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

 

Centuries of history will end with Leicester church's closure

Nearly 1,000 years of history is to end with the closure of an 11th century church.

Within weeks, the doors of St Peter's Church, in Belgrave, will be bolted shut.

Nearby St Gabriel's Church, on Kerrysdale Avenue, will also close after the Church of England upheld the proposal to decommission the buildings.

Worshippers yesterday said they felt devastated.

A public consultation prompted 135 letters of protest at the plans, most concerning the closure of St Peter's.

At a meeting on Monday at the Church of England's London headquarters, the Diocese of Leicester was given permission to go ahead with the closures.

A spokesman for the Church Commissioners, responsible for church assets, said they "concluded that the parish only needs one church building".

St Alban's Church will be the only church serving Belgrave.

Ian Bewley-Parker, 71, has worshipped at St Peter's Church for most of his life. He used to be church warden.

"I'm devastated," he said.

"I couldn't say right now whether I will go to St Alban's once St Peter's closes."

St Peter's Church is a Grade II listed building that has been traced back to 1082.

Stuart Bailey, chairman of Leicester Civic Society, said the closure was "extremely short-sighted and destructive".

The Diocese of Leicester said it could not afford to keep three churches open in Belgrave.

If there is no appeal, the churches will be closed after Easter.

Did you worship at St Peter's? Did your parents get married there – or did you? We'd love to hear your stories of the church and if you have pictures then we would like to see them. Contact Simon Ward on 0116 222 4262 or: sward@leicestermercury.co.uk

£12M PLANS FOR LEICESTER CATHEDRAL SQUARE ARE UNVEILED

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

£12m plans for Leicester Cathedral Square are unveiled

A £12m project to transform the area around Leicester Cathedral will help the city's economic regeneration, according to the Bishop of Leicester.

The Rt Rev Tim Stevens spoke as plans for the development, which include a public square big enough to hold concerts for a crowd of 1,500 outside St Martins, went on show to the public.

However, city councillors have cast doubt on whether the authority will be able to find the money necessary to complete the work.

The masterplan includes proposals to remove gravestones – which would be recorded and replaced with an alternative memorial – and the refurbishment of the former Leicester Grammar School buildings, which were bought by the diocese in March 2008.

Bishop Tim said: "The new Cathedral Square will make a significant contribution to the life of the city and county.

"A cathedral is traditionally what gives a place its status as a city.

"A high-quality setting for its cathedral would help put Leicester on the map and the gathering space we are creating will also contribute significantly to the city's continued economic regeneration."

A planning application has been submitted to Leicester City Council.

Project director Pete Hobson said he was hopeful a decision would be reached by the middle of February.

The plans will also need the approval of the Cathedrals' Fabric Commission for England.

The commission met last week and is understood to be in support of the plan, though it has not announced a final decision.

The development would remodel the area outside the cathedral, facing Peacock Lane.

The present fountain near St Martins East would be removed and a series of water jets installed close to the old Grammar School site.

At the heart of the design is a public square which planners hoped would be used for outdoor concerts, markets or church services.

Mr Hobson said: "There are a range of possible events and we are speaking with officers at the city council to see what would be fitting.

"We envisage things such as classical or jazz music or festival events, possibly a specialist market, open air church services and public gatherings."

The bulk of the £12m needed for the overall project would be found by the Diocese of Leicester.

Money for development of the square – is expected to cost about £1.6m – is being sought from East Midlands Development Agency and the city council.

Council cabinet member for regeneration Patrick Kitterick said he was in favour of the plans, but no money was presently available.He said: "It is an interesting plan to create high-quality public space.

"We are in ongoing discussions [over funding] but we have not identified sources of money for it at the moment."

A display of the plans is on show at the cathedral.

CHURCH LEADERS UNVEIL PLANS TO TRANSFORM LEICESTER'S CATHEDRAL SQUARE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Church leaders unveil plans to transform Leicester's cathedral square

Church leaders have unveiled plans to turn an historic area into a public square.

About £1m will be spent creating a plaza outside Leicester Cathedral – one larger than Town Hall Square, with seating for 1,000 people.

It is the first phase of a £12m plan to develop the building and the area around it, which includes the former grounds of Leicester Grammar School.

The buildings were bought by the church in March 2008.

The square will form part of the Heritage Quarter being planned by the city council.

It will include the Magazine, Jewry Wall museum and Castle Gardens.

Plans have been submitted to the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England.

Pete Hobson, director of the project at the Diocese of Leicester, said: "It is one of the oldest areas of Leicester and it deserves attention.

"The work to the cathedral will involve flattening the mounds outside it and levelling the area to create a larger public space with greenery.

"However, it's only the first stage of the project and we are still developing it."

The commission, the body responsible for all Church of England cathedrals, will consider the plans next month.

Dean of Leicester Vivienne Faull said: "Leicester Cathedral is a little-known gem hidden away in our city.

"By developing the space in front of it in this way, we will not only be creating a safer and much more welcoming place, but also a space that can be used by both city and church for large gatherings of all sorts."

Developers have suggested a series of water features, including jets placed within the pavement and a Place Line – a memorial in the form of a pavement inlay, detailing the city's history.

All of the headstones in the area surrounding the cathedral would be removed.

However, the details would be recorded and an alternative memorial incorporated into the design.

Derek Hollingworth, vice-chairman of Leicester Civic Society, said: "It's a good idea and a step in the right direction.

"We need to conserve and restore as many parts of historic Leicester as we can.

"I knew something was in the pipeline for the historic quarter and now it's good to see someone has finally put pen to paper."

Developers said there would be the potential to create a performance stage.

The last phase of the development is expected to see the restoration of the inside of the cathedral and the development of the highways around the site.

Proposals for the former school, would see it transformed into the St Nicholas Centre.

This would house a dance studio, exhibition areas and conference halls.