Useful Publications

The following books will also be of interest to Churchwardens and PCCs.

HANDBOOK FOR CHURCHWARDENS AND PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCILLORS
By Kenneth MacMorran and Timothy Briden. Published by Mowbray. Price £13.99. ISBN 9781441154743. A standard guide for churchwardens and members of PCCs. It is indispensable for all who wish to tread a clear path through the sometimes complex legislation and know the rules and extent of their responsibility as elected Church officers.

CHURCHWARDENS : A Survival Guide
By Martin Dudley and Virginia Rounding. Published by SPCK.
Price £10.99. ISBN 0-281-05073-2.

THE CHURCHYARDS HANDBOOK (4th Ed.)
Edited by Thomas Cocke. Published by Church House Publishing. Price £10.95. ISBN 9780715143018. Practical advice on all aspects of churchyard management. Includes advice on memorial design and areas for cremated remains.

WIDENING THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE
By John Penton. Published by Church House Publishing. Price £10.95. ISBN 0715175890. A guide to meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, providing detailed information and design guidance to help meet the accessibility needs of people with disabilities.

GUIDE TO FUNERALS AND BEREAVEMENT
By Sam Weller. Published by Kogan Page. ISBN 07494305773. As well as covering all practical aspects of funerals, this very useful guide also contains information about churchyard memorials (though this should always be read in conjunction with local Diocesan Churchyards Regulations).

CHANGING CHURCHES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE FACULTY SYSTEM
By Charles Mynors. Published by Bloomsbury Continuum. ISBN 9781441156433. This book de-mystifies the whole process of carrying out works to churches. It explains what consents are needed; how they can be applied for; and on what basis applications are decided.

STONEWORK – MAINTENANCE AND SURFACE REPAIR
By A.D.R. Caroe and M.B. Caroe. Published by Church House Publishing. Price £9.95. ISBN 0715175823. This book, first published in 1984, contains the accumulated wisdom of the Caroe firm from a century’s experience of involvement with the great buildings of the land, especially churches.

CONSERVATION AND REPAIR OF BELLS
By The Council for the Care of Churches. Published by Church House Publishing. Price £9.99. ISBN 9780715142509. This book provides advice on the conservation of historic bells, bellframes and fittings. It provides workable guidelines that balance the needs of conservation and bellringing practice. Also available online.

CHURCH LIGHTING
By Peter Jay and Bill Crawforth. Published by Church House Publishing. Price £12.95. ISBN 071517584X. The aim of this book is to assist parishes in deciding whether the lighting in their church is capable of improvement and, if so, in what way. It deals with lighting design, lighting schemes, different types of light source, controls and maintenance.

SOUNDS GOOD
By John Norman and Jim Berrow. Published by Church House Publishing. Price £6.95. ISBN 0715175947. Advice on the care and repair of older organs, as well as recommendations on the use of new and second-hand organs. There are helpful sections on dealing with organ builders, finance and contracts.

HISTORIC ORGAN CONSERVATION – A Practical Introduction to Processes and Planning
By Dominic Gwynn. Published by Church House Publishing. Price £8.95. ISBN 9780715175927. A concise and practical guide to organ conservation issues, including the principles of good restoration practice, the rewards of care and good housekeeping, the results of neglect and bad practice, and the availability of grants.

CHURCH EXTENSIONS AND ADAPTATIONS (2nd Ed.)
By The Council for the Care of Churches . Published by Church House Publishing. Price £9.95. ISBN 0715175971. Shows how church buildings can be adapted or extended in creative and responsible ways to allow their facilities to be more widely used and more effective in mission.

FRAGILE INHERITANCE – The Care of Stained Glass and Historic Glazing: A Handbook for Custodians
By Sebastian Strobl and Sarah Brown. Published by Church House Publishing. Price £9.95. ISBN 0715176005. Guidance on the causes of deterioration of stained glass, as well as advice on managing the conservation and future care of windows.

WILDLIFE IN CHURCH AND CHURCHYARD – Plants, Animals and their Management (2nd Ed.)
By The Council for the Care of Churches. Published by Church House Publishing. Price £9.95. ISBN 0715175874. Covering such areas as tree-planting, grassland and landscape design, this book gives practical advice on the best ways to manage a churchyard for nature conservation.

A STITCH IN TIME – Guidelines for the Care of Textiles
Published by Church House Publishing. Price £2.50. ISBN 9780715175958. Another publication from The Council for the Care of Churches, this book aims to provide guidelines and encourage good practice in dealing with the upkeep and preservation of church furnishings, textiles and vestments.

FLAGS FOR CHURCHES : Guidance issued by the Flag Institute for the Church of England
£3.00 per copy

CHARITY COMMISSION PUBLICATIONS

In particular:
CC3 : The Essential Trustee (Responsibilities of Charity Trustees is at section E)
CC28 : Sales, leases, transfers, mortgages – What trustees need to know about disposing of charity land
CC33 : Acquiring Land

These and other notes for guidance can be found on the Charity Commission website.