First 'One Trust Day' held in Bristol

On Thursday 4th October, over a hundred Churches Conservation Trust volunteers, staff, trustees and members of church Friends Groups gathered at St Paul's Church in Bristol for the first One Trust Day, bringing together representatives of many different groups who contribute to the Trust’s work.

Following speeches by Chairman Loyd Grossman OBE and Chief Executive, Crispin Truman, the Trust welcomed ss Great Britain Trust Director of Conservation & Education, Rhian Tritton, for a keynote address on the work of the organisation in restoring and attracting visitors to Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s great ship, one of Bristol’s top visitor attractions.

Alongside discussions and case studies looking at the future direction of the Trust, the event was an opportunity to recognise the valuable work of the Trust’s volunteers, most notably with the presentation of the Marsh Christian Trust Volunteer of the Year Award by Marsh Trustee, Lorraine Ryan.

This year’s award was presented jointly to Raymond and Elizabeth Fowler for their sterling work with the Friends of St Swithun's Church, Worcester, and two regional prizes were also awarded to John Marks, of the Friends of St James' Church in Cooling, Kent and Penny Taylor at St Leonard's Church in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

The day also saw the premiere of four short films on the work of the Trust, with a new showcase film about the Trust’s work, complemented by films on tourism, volunteering and income generation, and ended with tea, cake and a performance from circus performer Wayne Clendennen, a fitting reminder of St Paul’s new life with Circomedia, a contemporary circus and physical performance centre.