Suffolk’s historic church buildings have a new champion.

 

This three-year post is substantially funded by English Heritage and adds no cost to the parishes of Suffolk. Over 95% of the county’s 478 churches are listed buildings and this new position aims to help congregations maintain and make best use of them as well as attracting more visitors

"Our churches can unlock many centuries of history and should be a real magnet for visitors to Suffolk," says Marion, who was born and brought up in Suffolk and has worked on East of England Tourism's Let's Go! campaign for the past five years. "Most of them date back to medieval times, when they would have been busy and colourful centres of activity and social life. It would be great to think we could reconnect our churches with the wider community, either by sharing their rich heritage through education and workshops, by using the space for local events such as concerts and exhibitions, or helping to meet community needs for local produce markets or self help groups."

 

"I am confident that Marion will make a real difference," says Nicholas Edgell, the Chief Executive Officer of the diocese. "I am delighted that the churches in Suffolk are being further supported by our English Heritage and private donors working in partnership with us."

 

Marion's appointment is part of the Support Officers Project, run by English Heritage. Diana Evans, Head of Places of Worship Policy at English Heritage says, "We hope that with our support, Marion will be able to help congregations to understand and care for these significant buildings."

 

According to a VisitBritain survey for the year to May 2009, 32% of visitors had been to cathedrals, churches or abbeys. In Suffolk, visitors are increasingly making church visits a part of their holiday or short break and over 100,000 people visited St Edmundsbury Cathedral last year.