John E. Vigar MA, FSA Scot., FRSA

February 2026

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The Government has finally announced that the Listed Places of Worship Scheme which helped churches reclaim VAT for repairs comes to an end on March 31st. It will be replaced by a new Grant Scheme the finer details of which have not yet been published. The new scheme will only apply to English churches which leaves Welsh churches without the same grant aid.

The Norfolk Churches Trust will celebrate its 50th Anniversary this summer and I have been involved in producing a coffee table book to comemmorate the occasion. It takes the form of a series of essays about Norfolk Churches and the work of the Charity. I am also leading two self-drive day tours visiting eight of the churches which the Trust has in its care. The first tour is on July 8th and visits Bagthorpe, Barmer, Dunton and West Rudham Click here for details. The second is on July 22nd and visits Hargham, Snetterton, Illington and Lynford Click here for details

On Wednesday May 6th I will be leading a self-drive church tour for The Essex Churches Trust. Details have not yet been published but the Trust website is Friends of Essex Churches

Last year I was asked by the Diocese of Ely to lead a self-drive tour in the former Huntingdonshire and I`m delighted to say that I am doing another this summer. The date will be Thursday July 9th and will visit churches around Huntingdon. Tickets are not yet available.

 

My NEW BOOK Churches of Lincolnshire is published in March. You can preorder copies here Churches of Lincolnshire

 

The following is a selection of lectures/tour dates

February 20th ZOOM to Herefordshire Family History Society

February 21st Suffolk Historic Churches Conference, Haughley Park

February 23rd Newmaket U3A

February 24th Norwich UEA Retirement group

March 3rd Sudbury U3A

March 4th Market Deeping Men`s Group

March 5th ARTS SOCIETY DIRECTORY DAY, London

March 12th Caston WI

April 13th ZOOM Churches of Lincolnshire Tickets here

April 15th Downham Heritage

April 18th Church Conference Lincolnshire Details here

April 24th-26th Northamptonshire Churches WI weekend

April 27th - 30th April Churches of the Peak District Tour Coach Tour

May 6th Friends of Essex Churches Tour

May 27th Sandringham WI

June 2nd Norfolk Church Tour for Sudbury U3A

June 3rd Barton Mills Club

July 8th and 22nd Norfolk Church Tours (see above)

July 9th Church Tour for the Diocese of Ely

July 14th and 21st Norfolk Church Tours (American groups)

July 23rd Essex Church Tour for The Arts Society

August 12th March U3A

August 13th Wisbech U3A

September 9th Bury St Edmunds Cathedral

September 10th Dereham U3A

September 16th Costessey WI

October 13th Watlington WI

October 15th for 5 weeks Sawbridgeworth Learning for Pleasure

October 17th Waveney Archaeological Society Conference

November 4th March Family History Society

November 12th Dereham Oddfellows

November18th ZOOM Nottinghamshire Family History Society

 

As ever, if you would like more details of any of the above just let me know.

 

Kind regards

 

John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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