Church Maintenance for Conservation Officers in Scotland

Tuesday 10 November 2026, 1-4pm

Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church, Stirling

Who is this course for?

Join us in the stunning Holy Trinity Church, Stirling to learn more about how churches which are being sold will transfer into the Local Authority Planning Systems.  This course is for those working in Local Authority Planning Departments in Scotland - planners, conservation officers, technicians.  Anyone who is a regular attendee of the COG or POWF groups run by BEFS is very welcome. Local church congregations in the Stirling area are also encourgaged to join in. 

The Early Gothic style Holy Trinity was designed by renowned Scottish architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson in 1878, and is well known for it's wonderful collection of stained glass by a variety of historic and more modern artists.  The category A listed building features polychrome brickwork, an extraordinary reredos by Charles Eamer Kempe, and a Memorial Chapel designed by Sir Robert Lorimer.  There is plenty to look at, so do arrive a little early if you are able so as to enjoy the building before the talks begin. 

You will learn

By the end of the course, you will know/understand/be able to:

• Have a greater understanding of the needs of a church during the sale process
• Understand how Ecclesiastical Exemption has been applied in the past, and transfers into the LPA system of LBC and Planning Permission
• Have a greater understanding of the different built elements of a church

Programme

This programme is subject to minor changes.

• 1pm - Introduction. - Lizzie Swarbrick
• 1.15 - Maintenance Health Check Scheme Update - Stirling City Heritage Trust / Chris Menzies
• 1.45 - Maintenance of Churches - SPAB / Lucy Stewart
• 2 - Tour of church including practical talks about maintenance / Networking Opportunity
• 3 - Ecclesiastical Exemption Case Studies - Louisa Humm
• 3.30 - Discussion and Questions
• 4pm - Close

You will need

You will need to bring/wear warm clothes as we will be sitting in the church, followed by a short walk around the building. 

Refreshments will be provided.  You are very welcome to arrive early with a packed lunch to eat at the church whilst you admire the stained glass and other points of interest. 

Tutor(s)

Lizzie Swarbick - Research in Action on Church Heritage Manager for the Society of Antiquaries Scotland of Scotland

Chris Menzies - Surveyor for Stirling City Heritage Trust

Louisa Humm - Senior Historic Buildings Advisor at Historic Environment Scotland

Lucy Stewart - Conservation Architect and Scotland Officer for the SPAB

Assessment / Accreditation

There is no formal assessment for this course, but we can provide a Certificate of Attendance upon request.

Accessibility

The conditions on this course are likely to include:

• Single small step on entry to the building. 
• Grassy and uneven areas around the church.

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email scotland@spab.org.uk

Partners

This event is generously supported by Historic Environment Scotland and the BEFS (Built Environment Forum Scotland).

Photos and filming: We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online. Participants may take photos and short videos for personal use, with permission of the course leader and all other participants in frame. If you want to post on social media, please message SPAB's Comms Team (press@spab.org.uk or @spab1877) for permission. If your material is good, we might ask to share it with our followers.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Photo credit: Lucy Stewart