In a special post to mark the upcoming National Maintenance Week, guest author Kate Streeter Project Manager of SPAB Maintenance Cooperatives tells us about their plans for launching the week and encouraging ongoing maintenance.
What do a ladle, rubber gloves and a pair of binoculars all have in common? They are all part of our cheap and cheerful essential maintenance kit, and this November we are going to show you how they can help you to take care of your place of worship at the very first Maintenance Co-operatives Project national conference: From Gutter to Spire. The conference is in York on Friday 21st November and tickets are free from www.spabmcp.org.uk
A stitch in time saves nine, and nowhere is this more true than for our places of worship, where we estimate that for every £1 not spent on planned preventative maintenance will likely cost £20 in emergency repairs. This is where the Society for the protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) Maintenance Co-operative Project steps in.
The project team are working hard in four regions (Cumbria, The North East, Lincolnshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and Dorset and Somerset) to bring together places of worship with volunteers who would like to assist with their upkeep, to form Maintenance Co-operatives.
Each co-operative is supported by a dedicated SPAB member of staff, offered tailor-made training and access to an array of resources. The training begins by taking participants through the process of carrying out a condition survey and using this information to write an annual maintenance plan. It also covers topics such as working with architects, dealing with damp and when to bring in professional help.
A year into the project and we have co-operatives springing up all across the country busily working to ensure the long-term future of their historic buildings. We are delighted that many of the volunteers involved, places of worship, and representatives from our hugely supportive project partners (who include The National Churches Trust, Caring for Gods Acre, Arthur Rank Centre, English Heritage, and major funders the Heritage Lottery Fund) are coming together in York this November for the very first Maintenance Co-operatives conference.
This is a wonderful opportunity for those already involved to share ideas, and for those new to the project to find out more. A packed scheduled of speakers from SPAB and our partners will be followed by fascinating York walking tours, the opportunity to put your maintenance concerns directly to our dedicated technical advisor, and of course a sociable drink in the pub to finish the day.
We very much hope that you can join us, tickets are free and there are a limited number of travel bursaries of up to £100 available to volunteers, so book soon!
Kate Streeter
SPAB Maintenance Co-operatives Project Manager
National Churches Trust - Blog 
National Maintenance Week 2014
/ November 13, 2014That’s a great initiative! Maintenance Co-operatives Project sounds like a great way for prevantive maintenance awareness. I’m sure that you will come up with great ideas on the conference and I believe you are on the right track. Just make sure you keep us updated with the news!
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