The lighting and wiring have reached the end of their lives. Lights and cables have failed and what is left is expensive to run and maintain. The church is a grade I listed building, dating from 1380, one of the most important 300 churches in the UK and is the most significant and largest building in the village of Tideswell. It provides a valuable resource not only for the village but also for the nation and its architectural heritage. The present electrical system detracts from rather than enhancing services and events. We have plans and permissions in place to install a new energy efficient LED system and have managed to raise about 40% of the £200,000 cost but need your help to complete the project in 2023. If we do not get it fixed before next winter there is a risk that we will not be able to use the church. As well as holding many different events the church attracts over 30,000 visitors each year from over the UK providing valuable income for local businesses in the community

What we'll deliver:

• A dimmable LED lighting system that allows different areas to be lit appropriately for different events.
• Electric power sockets in the right place for different events.
• A much reduced carbon footprint.
• The Cathedral of the Peak (St John the Baptist Church) will become a welcoming 350 seat building for visitors.

Why it's a great idea:

With an energy efficient dimmable LED lighting system visitors will find a welcoming environment rather than a dingy church. They will be able to see the wonderful architecture without us needing to have 20kW of light on all the time. Only the lights for specific areas will need to be on. We will be able to light the whole church for a large event but for a concert have the singers well lit but the audience more dimly lit. On those occasions that the whole church does need to be lit the power consumption will only be 4kW. It will be much easier to hire the church out and allow us to increase the number of events for the community. Visitors will linger longer and be more likely to support the upkeep of the building. The new power sockets will allow us to boil more than two kettles and still provide power for a band. People will have a building and environment to enjoy whether it is a casual visitor, a regular attendee at a concert, a play, a normal service, a wedding or a funeral.

Steps to get it done:

• • Architectural designs,Tenders and selecting contractors (complete)
• • Appeal launch with letters to all local businesses and leaflet drop to every house (complete)
• • Final Diocesan Advisory Committee approval (awaiting all the funds to be in place)
• • Get revised final costs (contingencies are in place but the turbulent times mean they may not be enough)
• • Erect scaffolding in the church.
• • Remove all the existing cables and fittings.
• • Install all the new ones (estimated time to complete the work is 3 months).

The completion of this project will allow two more projects to move forward to support the wide range of events held in the church. The only accessible toilets are in adjacent buildings which involves a long sloping route for those who cannot manage steps. The only place to prepare refreshments for events, the church can seat 350 people, is a small sink and work top at the back of church. We have plans in place for disabled toilets in the church and a proper servery at the back. The rewiring will allow these to progress.