Written evidence submitted by the
Friends of Walpole Old Chapel

Walpole Old Chapel is a small non-conformist chapel located in north-east Suffolk, approximately 2 miles south-east of Halesworth. In 1690, a group of Independent Congregationalists took ownership of an existing timber-framed farmhouse on the outskirts of Walpole village and converted the building into a Chapel. Walpole is the second oldest surviving non-conformist chapel in England and retains all the original features. Writing in 1982, Christopher Stell a Royal Commissioner of Historic Monuments, considered the building to be ‘one of the finest early meeting houses’ still in existence and deserving of its Grade II* Listing. The Chapel was acquired by the Historic Chapels Trust (HCT) in 1995 who devolved to the local Friends of Walpole Old Chapel (FWOC) responsibility for the day-to-day management of the building, hosting open days for visitors and curating summer programmes of cultural events most suited to the unique qualities of its internal space. The Chapel has retained its certification as a registered place of worship: a local Congregational Minister conducts occasional baptisms, weddings and the Chapel’s annual carol service.

In summary, Walpole Old Chapel is a small, specialised heritage site listed as Grade II* which is located in a rural area of low population density and ill-served by public transport. The Trustees of FWOC believe the challenges we face in conserving our Chapel may be common to other voluntary groups caring for small heritage assets in rural parts of the country. For this reason, the Secretary of FWOC wishes to submit the following evidence to the DCMS Enquiry.

HCT is seeking capital funding of £700,000+ for a major repair and conservation project to re-render the building and protect its timber frame from further degradation by water ingress. This project has been warmly received by national donors and we expect it to receive funding in 2025. FWOC will take over ownership of the Chapel on completion of the first phase of the work, as part of HCT’s disposal of all its chapels prior to winding up as a charity.

The major challenge for owners of heritage sites such as WOC is not capital funding for major work but securing sufficient revenue to meet ongoing expenses including maintenance and minor repairs to the building. These will be particularly high for WOC because the built fabric consists of a timber frame and lime render construction. It is essential that all work to the building is of conservation standard to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the Chapel. FWOC is confident in our ability to generate sufficient revenue to meet these costs because the unique attributes of the building make it attractive for weddings, heritage visitors and small-scale music, theatre and literary events. It is a reasonable proposition that heritage sites should be self-sufficient as regards operational costs and income. But there are additional factors which put extra pressure on ensuring adequate revenue funding for rural heritage sites.

2.1 Town and parish councils are able to (and do, sometimes generously) grant- aid museums and other heritage sites. However, buildings designated as registered places of worship are specifically excluded. This is a loss of potential core income which hits non-conformist chapels particularly hard.

2.2 It is very difficult to attract community activities wishing to rent space because physical capacity in rural villages often exceeds demand, as the under-use of many village halls and parish churches shows. The potential to turn small heritage sites into ‘community hubs’ which seems to be the solution favoured by many heritage consultants and donor charities may be viable in densely populated urban areas. But ‘one-size-does-not-fit-all’, especially in the English countryside. Rural heritage assets demand more creative solutions tailored to their specific geographical, economic and social circumstances. For example, our Chapel provides an inexpensive, immersive and friendly space for local amateur performers to gain experience and hone their programmes before venturing into larger venues across the county.

2.3 Recruiting and retaining sufficient volunteers and trustees to support high levels of activity in rural areas of low population density is extremely challenging but heritage sites cannot survive without these active citizens. Health and Safety legislation means organisations are reluctant to involve volunteers in site maintenance. It becomes necessary to employ expensive contractors for tasks many people would do for themselves in their own homes (for example, gutter clearance and decorating above ground level). Building maintenance and grounds-maintenance skills are found widely among rural communities and our own experience shows those who volunteer to support WOC would appreciate engaging more actively in the care and maintenance of the Chapel rather than only being asked for financial donations. Active engagement builds volunteer capacity and commitment to the heritage asset.

2.4 Local planning authorities often exclude heritage sites from being able to benefit from solar panels, batteries and associated technologies which means they are locked into high energy prices and unable to contribute to the UK’s net zero strategy.

We believe a case can be made to treat modest heritage sites located in rural parts of the country, possessing buildings assessed as Grade I and Grade II* significance as a separate sub-category of built heritage assets which would encourage more diverse approaches to their conservation. We would be pleased to provide further information on all these points, if required.

Evidence submitted by Simon Weeks, Secretary, Friends of Walpole Old Chapel.