BEACONS OF LIGHT: Welcoming, Learning, Engaging in Places of Faith & Heritage
12th – 14th January 2027 – LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL
Here’s the latest draft list of our guest speakers and workshops. Click the arrows for details of each
FINDING A VOICE IN SACRED SPACES – Tom Bigglestone, Oracy for Schools
Tom leads a CPD session for Schools & Learning teams, drawing on 15 years’ experience of helping young people find their voice about curious questions and in the process, develop their confidence, open-mindedness, and listening skills.
Sadie Rowell, VisitEngland Assessment Services
Sadie will be talking about the benefits of the Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme, introducing the support available and how independent assessment can strengthen the visitor experience. For cathedrals, this means looking at how heritage, worship, education, and hospitality come together to create a welcoming and memorable visit.
The VisitEngland Quality work supports attractions across England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland with wider links and activity in the Republic of Ireland.
THE BEACON: DRAWING THE PUBLIC IN, Sandra Lynes-Timbrell, Director of Visitor Engagement at St Paul’s Cathedral
Details to follow
SHINING THE LIGHT: DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT – Emma, Liverpool Cathedral & Clark, St Patrick’s Cathedral
Exploring digital interfaces for visitors to access our stories.
THE BEACON’S IMPACT: Fran Jeens, Head of Education & Engagement UK Parliament
Fran shares not only her experience & insights from her role at UK Parliament, but also in her role as Co-Chair of the Heads of Education Forum, ALVA (Association for Leading Visitor Attractions), plus as a trustee of GEM (Group for Education in Museums)
EMBRACING PILGRIMAGE – Revd Canon Jane Brooke
A discussion forum on welcome for pilgrims in shared space and time.
The LOtC Quality Badge, Stu Meese
Stu Meese, of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom introduces the LOtC Accreditation Scheme
NOT JUST ANOTHER LESSON, Hilary Young, Ely Cathedral
Encouraging engagement and connections through secondary school visits to sacred spaces
DEVELOPING YOUR ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
HERITAGE & INTERPRETATION – A review on reaching, attracting, engaging
Details to follow
BEACON SOFTWARE & The VOLUNTEERING FORUM
Led by Alex Baker, Liverpool Cathedral
LOOK UP! Dr Alex Buchanan, Liverpool University
Presenting Educational Resources on the study, Tracing the Past, researching Fan Vaulted Ceilings in church architecture
With MORE to be announced shortly, including our KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
ALSO
Our usual favourites: The Sharing Sessions, Regional Hubs Meet-Up, City Attraction Tours and the Cathedrals Plus AGM!
PLUS
Meet our sponsors and hear about their products & work supporting Cathedrals Plus members…
Sponsors so far:
Partners so far…
BOOK your place here if you work in a cathedral, abbey, minster or large place of Christian worship in the UK, Republic of Ireland or northern Europe and your role is:-
- Visitor Experience
- Schools & Learning
- Events
- Interpretation or Curating for the above
- Volunteer management for the above
- Visitor Engagement
- Welcome & Hospitality for Pilgrims
Email sarah.page@cathedralsplus.org.uk if you have any queries on your eligibility to attend, or with any query about our conference. We look forward to seeing you in January!
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