Those readers with sharp memories will recall the debate in July 2008 on my PMM calling for all dioceses to appoint a church tourism officer or, at least, a church tourism group and report back on progress to Synod by July 2010. I can report that some progress has been made, despite the financial crisis which seems to have affected all the strands of work we try to pull together.

From the returns from dioceses on questionnaires sent out this year by the Churches Tourism Association (countersigned by myself and the Head of the Churches Buildings Division) there appear to be about 50% of dioceses with active CT policies, and a number of others which are starting new initiatives partly in response to the motion.

There is some very interesting CT work going on and much of it working with ecumenical or other faith groups and secular partners. There is evidence of the benefit to the local economy, to church income and to the feel-good factor of the volunteers welcoming visitors as pilgrims or organising cultural events.

The Churches Tourism Association is holding a series of regional meetings for diocesan and ecumenical partners to discuss how this work can be taken forward. The first two, in the East Midlands and North East, were well attended and enthusiastically welcomed. The Cathedrals and Church Buildings Division is encouraging the CTA to roll out the work to the North East and South West in the next few months.

Please encourage your Bishop and senior staff to support this mission opportunity which extends the uses of our buildings, which have never been in better repair, despite the costs and lack of government support.

Roy Thompson
Trustee, Churches Tourism Association

Ed: my own church in Ottery St Mary is in the top 18 of Simon Jenkins's book. Often we find that tourists come in holding the book in their hands so you can see that it is important to be aware of people?s interest in our ancient buildings. Once, when I was on duty in church, two men came in to look at it and I mentioned that graffiti had been found in the South Transept, during cleaning operations, of a figure as yet not indentified.

They told me they were from Winchester and in the Cathedral there they have graffiti which reads: „Normans go Home!? Beat that!