A new initiative has been set up by a collaboration of the different denominations of churches in the Peak district to promote the churches’ roles in supporting rural communities. In many very small settlements, the church is the last remaining community building and it offers the potential for a range of innovative uses. If the church or chapel is better used, this can also help fundraising to maintain the fabric of these historic buildings as well as to promote community cohesion. The University of Lincoln will be working with the project leader, Revd Simon Lumby over the course of the next year to assist the project which, if successful in Derbyshire, will be rolled out across the UK.
More details can be found on their website: http://www.faithinthepeak.org.uk/