*SPAB's Faith In Maintenance Courses for Volunteers Caring for Listed Places
of Worship*
*Dates:* From May 2007
*Venues:* Across the UK

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) is embarking on a
unique project to provide training for people of all faith groups in England and
Wales to help them care for their listed places of worship. The project, known
as Faith in Maintenance, has been supported by generous grants from the Heritage
Lottery Fund, English Heritage and others.
Places of worship are integral to the landscape of Britain, representing centuries
of faith, craftsmanship and design. Many of our most precious faith-related buildings
are in desperate need of repair and rely on the help of local volunteers. SPAB
will run 30 tailor-made "Faith In Maintenance" courses each year, training over
6,000 volunteers to look after a variety of these buildings in both England and
Wales. Along with protecting significant historic structures, the project will
also encourage more people to become actively involved in their local community's
heritage.
"Faith in Maintenance" courses will start from May 2007, but are expected to
be popular so enquiries are welcome from the start of SPAB's annual awareness
week,
National Maintenance Week, which this year runs from 17-24 November.
There will be 32 courses across England and Wales each year and two of those
will be aimed at young people. To date, 26 venues for courses have been identified
in locations including Bangor, Bristol, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Chester Le Street,
Dewsbury, Guildford, Hove, Ipswich, Kidderminster, Lincoln, Manchester (x2), Northampton,
Portsmouth, Ramsey (Isle of Man), South Devon and Somerset.
Five courses a year will be held in London for the Diocese of London, Diocese
of Southwark, the Jewish community in London, Roman Catholics, Methodists and
those of other faiths and denominations who have listed places of worship.
Enquiries about these courses can be made by phoning SPAB HQ on tel: 020 7456
0913, or e-mail:
info@spabfim.org.uk websit:
www.spabfim.org.uk