Durham still free

[cloughie]

I think you will find that the loss of 0% VAT rating is already having a huge effect on many organ restoration projects.

Bit like pasties then ?

[MrGongGong]

As someone who is himself looking forward to the planned restoration of the instrument over which I preside, I'd be interested to know of these "many" organ restoration projects of which you speak, as well as the "loss of 0% VAT". The Chancellor's proposed move is a separate issue to the scheme (begun in 2006) which enabled the recovery of VAT under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, and which ended in March 2011.

I'm not an expert but was chatting to someone I know who is an organ consultant who was telling me about this.
I'm sure that whoever you get to advise would know much more than me.
Or BIOS etc etc ............ and then I run out of knowledge

[Miles Coverdale]

It is interesting that the Anglican Church is the established church, i.e. connected with the state and the monarchy, and yet receives no financial support from it.

I think you'll find that it does enjoy certain tax exemptions.

On the subject of York and entry fees, paying the fee does entitle you to return any number of times within a year for nothing.

[Magnificat]

No. The Chancellor announced in the Budget that approved alterations to listed buildings - which, unlike repairs and maintenance are currently zero-rated - will be charged at the standard rate of 20% VAT from October. .

Wolsey,

I am sure you are right but irrespective of the difference between alterations and repairs and maintenance the Budget change will still involve cathedrals concerned in the loss of big sums of money. Look at poor Wakefield just started massive inside works and will have to find another £200,000! for which they had not originally budgeted.

VCC

[Magnificat]

[QUOTE=ardcarp;147833] Admission fees are an outrage whether you are a practising Christian or not. Ds and Cs just do not try hard enough. They need to make the 'Friends of the Cathedral' groups much more active in fund-raising, and they need to get cyber-savvy and do some online fund-raising too./QUOTE]

ardcarp

I think many cathedrals are becoming much more sophisticated in the way they go about raising funds.

Cathedrals often advertise new and well paid posts for officers in the fields of development and public relations and promotion in the Church Times and other publications for example.

There is certainly a lot of networking going on at St Albans and the three big fund raising trusts covering Fabric, Music and Education have been very successful. These are entirely separate from the Fraternity of Friends of the Abbey which does great work in helping to fund smaller but no less important projects in various areas of the cathedral's life and work.

VCC

[Simon]

I'm with ardcarp on this one, except as regards state funding - that would be a can or worms. I shall never pay an admission charge to any cathedral or church on principle - a church should be open to anyone of any means all the time - but if I can I shall always donate.

[mercia]

"Wakefield Cathedral Dean's wife in VAT song protest" shock horror
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-17633844
They're in a sticky situation having ripped out the nave and suddenly with an extra £200,000 to find. I wonder what the Prime Minister will say in reply to the Dean's letter of protest.

[gurnemanz]

When I was a student in Durham 40 years ago, I used to be able to take a delightful shortcut from my college on the the Bailey (St Cuthbert's) via the cathedral cloisters and across the nave to Palace Green for the Library and Students' Union. Sometimes it would coincide with Choral Evensong. I am pleased that present-day students can still do so without being charged a fee.

[Vile Consort]

I seem to remember that York Minster offers free admission to people who live in the city. And they certainly don''t conduct the congregation out of the building after evensong.

On the other hand, when I attended evensong at the Abbey, I paused to look at something in the nave on the way in and was swooped upon and taken to the quire. Dawdling evidently isn't allowed. I am surprised they don't supply blindfolds.

[mercia]

I wonder if it is an astute ploy to ask for donations rather than charge a fee, because in that way they may end up receiving more from particularly generous people.

how naive I was. at Durham they ask people to donate £5 but on average receive 32p per visitor
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17432028
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-17434130