Inspired Campaign

Way back in June some of you may have received the English Heritage literature promoting their ‘Inspired!’ campaign.  If they succeed in their efforts to persuade the government to allot further funds for the upkeep of churches according to their five-point plan it will be of immense value to us all.  The literature includes a poster and a postcard addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging him to support the campaign.

Unfortunately they had the rather uninspired idea of sending the literature to the clergy with instructions likely to add unhelpfully to their workload. Fortunately due to the efforts of the Archdeacon of Berkshire and some DACs and other bodies around the country, English Heritage has now printed further supplies of the postcards which are available from Nick Chapple at English Heritage on 020 7973 3267 or email English Heritage.

I hope at least every PCC member in the diocese will send in a postcard, and distribute more copies of the literature if it is still available. If the Chancellor takes heed it will be the best thing that has happened for the fabric of our churches since the VAT refund scheme. It is a truly worthy campaign, but it will be kicked into the long grass unless we all take the ball and run with it.

Erica Harman
Chairman, Berkshire Churches Trust
Christopher Walton
Chairman, Oxford Historic Churches Trust