26th November 2025

Diocesan Church Buildings Team hosts special conference at Whalley Abbey

More than 40 architects and surveyors from across the north gathered at Whalley Abbey recently as The Church of England in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese) held its much-anticipated biennial architects and surveyors conference.

The conference, open to Inspecting Architects and Surveyors was held in the beautiful setting of our 'Centre for Christian Discipleship and Prayer' at the Abbey in the Ribble Valley; which is also the site of stunning medieval ruins. 

Our own Diocesan Church Buildings Team, hosted the day which was attended by representatives from other Dioceses, including Carlisle, Leeds and Liverpool. 

Jen Read, Senior Church Buildings Officer at the diocese, said: “It was great to be able to meet together to network hear some great talks.

"We had a fantastic line-up of speakers to hear from across the day who collectively had a wide range of expertise to share with us. Many travelled long distances to be with us and I’m grateful to them all for being able to attend."

The day had the loose theme of church buildings and sustainability and had speakers who all specialised in adapting and maintaining church buildings

• Dr Robyn Pender, Director of Whethergauge Ltd & former Senior Architectural Conservator, gave an overview of how buildings are constructed to adapt to our environment and how lessons can be learned from the past. 
• Dr David Knight, Head of Church Buildings, Cathedral and Church Buildings Department at the Church Commissioners gave an overview of recent priorities affecting church buildings.
• Andrew Boyce, Practice Director, Donald Insall Associates York, spoke about the project to lime coat the tower at St Oswald's, Askrigg.
• Alex Haslehurst Managing Director and Steve Hogarth Technical Heritage Consultant of High Life Rope Access, spoke about the advnatages of using rope access for conservation works.
• Kate Kendall, Senior Engagement Manager for the North, National Lottery Heritage Fund, spoke about the National Lottery Heritage Fund  Investment Principles
• Adrian Fox, Environmental Sustainability Officer, Church of England Cathedral and Church Buildings, spoke about strategies for sustainable churches

Jen Read added: "We were delighted to be able to host this conference in our Diocese; supporting many architects and surveyors and, in turn, our parishes as we continue to work with them."

Ronnie Semley, November 2025