The trust has launched its annual appeal to create a £50,000 fighting fund to protect our historic buildings. They have already saved 350 beautiful buildings which attract almost 2 million visitors a year. With your help and support they are kept open and in use - living once again at the heart of their communities.
What is Heritage Crime?
The problem of crime and anti-social behaviour relating to historic buildings is not a modern phenomenon. It has been documented and recorded for centuries. However, what is new is the sheer scale and extent.
Historic England define Heritage Crime as:
‘Any offence which harms the value of England’s heritage assets and their settings to this and future generations.’
Harm caused to heritage by crime or anti-social behaviour often has both direct and indirect impacts. Vandalism or theft not only results in damage to heritage assets themselves, but also to the local community to which they belonged, through indirect social or economic consequences.
Annual Appeal
Halting the Epidemic of Heritage Crime
The growing scourge of Heritage Crime has afflicted many churches and those of The Churches Conservation Trust are no exception. You may be aware of the terrible impact of metal theft at a number of our most cherished sites. Damage to a roof inevitably leads to interior issues resulting from water ingress.
Precious objects including stained glass and wooden panels are also not immune. At Withcote in Leicestershire, thieves removed a Tudor glass panel showing the prophet Ezekiel - very likely the work of Henry VIII’s glazier - from the remote 16th-century chapel.
At Torbryan in Devon two painted panels were hacked out of the 15th-century rood screen and whisked away for sale. 2 years later - following a high profile, international media campaign and police operation - the trust were lucky enough to recover, conserve and re-site the panels - but the cost was high.
Fighting Back
These buildings belong to us all. Their architecture, fabric and contents form a precious collection of public art - free for everyone to experience and draw inspiration from. 2019 will be the trust's 50th year. In the lead up to this important anniversary they are launching a Campaign against Heritage Crime in liaison with other sector bodies. As part of this they are opening an appeal for £50,000 to start a fighting fund to protect our buildings and keep the doors open for all to enjoy, now and long into the future.
You can make a donation to their campaign at >> www.visitchurches.org.uk/get-involved/donate
Find out more about the trust at their website >> https://www.visitchurches.org.uk
Thank you for helping to fight back against Heritage Crime.
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