Our Diocesan Office building – Clayton House at Walker Office Park on the edge of Blackburn – Bishop's House in Salesbury and Blackburn Cathedral have all now been awarded Bronze ‘Eco Church' status in the last three months by A-Rocha UK, the charity overseeing the Eco Church process for the Church of England. 

The offices and Cathedral have been given the award in response to questions covering the following criteria:  

• worship and teaching 
• management of buildings 
• management of land 
• community and global engagement 
• lifestyle  

The news was welcomed by the Diocesan Net Carbon Zero Steering Group, co-chaired by John Rodwell, volunteer Diocesan Environment Officer and Stephen Whittaker, Diocesan Secretary. Now the next step is to get Bronze for the whole diocese! 

The responses to achieve Bronze status for the Diocesan Offices were submitted by the Diocesan Net Carbon Zero Project Manager, Dave Champness. Dave built on work started in 2021/22 by Being Witnesses Manager, Joy Rushton and other colleagues.  

Dave commented: “It’s great to receive the award in recognition of all we are doing on our collective journey towards the whole Diocese being awarded bronze status. We have just submitted our application and hope to receive positive news easrly in the new year. 

“Nearly 50 of our churches have already begun the journey themselves but we need many more to take the first step and to register with A Rocha UK.  

“Once they have registered they can assess and then potentially enhance their environmental practices against the bronze, silver and gold Eco Church standards.” 

Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn, said: “Three of our churches … Clitheroe St James, Christ Church Lancaster and Hurst Green currently have silver status and a further 11 have achieved bronze. 

“I am delighted that, through the hard work of our staff, our Diocesan Offices, my offices here at Bishop's House and the Cathedral are able to join these churches in leading the way as we work collectively towards Bronze status for the Diocese.

"I encourage all our churches to consider registering as soon as possible for this important initiative.”  

Ronnie Semley, August then updated December 2023