Events

Welcome to the Churches Visitor & Tourism Association 2025 Conference & AGM!

Join us for two FREE days of networking, learning, and collaboration. The Theme this year is Pilgrimage

This year’s reunion, AGM and conference is being hosted by the Carmelite Shrine of Saint Jude in Faversham, (34 Tanners Street, ME13 7JW) www.stjudeshrine.org.uk - a proud member of the CVTA for over 10 years.

All are welcome to come to both days or one of the days - please just let us know.

Lunch provision

The event is FREE, but we do need to cover the cost of Saturday lunch and other small expenses so we suggest a donation of £12 per person to attend either (or both) of the two days which will go towards the cost of the event during the two days. Please bring cash which you can pay on arrival.

This is an event where you can connect with fellow church representatives, tourism professionals, and others to share insights and best practice. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of shaping the future of church tourism.

Everyone from any church or chapel, or an organisation working with them is very welcome.

IMPORTANT We will need to know the following from you: and the questions will come up after you have registered. So please wait a few seconds!

• which day/or both days that you will be attending;
• whether you would like to join us for the dinner on Friday evening (to be paid for on the night by those attending);
• any dietary requirements you have so we can cater for you for Saturday lunch.

Faversham

After the martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket, Faversham became a place of pause in pilgrimages before the last stretch to Canterbury, and the town grew to be an important centre of faith. King Stephen of England lived here for a while and founded Faversham Abbey (mostly gone). Over the years, Faversham remained an important centre of pilgrimage until the Reformation. In recent times with the resurgence of pilgrimage, Faversham once more finds itself the centre of several routes. Seventy years ago, the Shrine of Saint Jude (Apostle of Hope) continued this tradition when the Carmelites returned to Kent. You can find out more, here: https://stjudeshrine.org.uk/faversham

In 2020, the Shrine was given five stars by the new guide 'Britain's Pilgrim Places' produced by the British Pilgrimage Trust. The authors particularly emphasised that.."the Shrine is a common meeting ground between Anglicans and Catholics since there was little historical and cultural interest in Jude during Christianity's most difficult years. He is certainly a more productive figure to contemplate than the Reformation martyrs of either side. For that reason alone, this Shrine deserves the highest recommendation".

The two days

Friday 10 October 2025

2pm Refreshments and Registration – Shrine of Saint Jude Welcome Centre

2.30pm: Welcome from Chair

2.45pm: Tour of Shrine of Saint Jude and Carmelite church, followed by walk to Almshouses and Parish church – tour by Matt Betts (Development Manager of the National Shrine of Saint Jude)

5pm: Check in to your hotels/rest

6.30pm: Evening Meal (Sun Inn, Faversham) https://www.sunfaversham.co.uk/

A small donation will be sent to each place after the weekend. A separate collection will be made on the day for this purpose.

Saturday 11 October 2025

Shrine of Saint Jude Welcome Centre

10.00am: Tea/Coffee

10.15am: Welcome from Richard Tulloch, CVTA Chair

…followed by an introduction to pilgrimage over the ages, why it matters (Matt Betts)

The full agenda for the day has not yet been finalised but will include:

Brendan and Joanna Roche: pilgrimage to Lourdes and how the message of Lourdes / Hope can be brought to our home parishes/diocese

Presentation from Bishop Paul Hendricks (Auxiliary bishop in Southwark Catholic Archdiocese)

Plus five more speakers throughout the day

Time for discussion in groups

12pm: Lunch (provided)

CVTA AGM

3.30pm: Concluding prayer from Chaplain of the Shrine of Saint Jude, Br. Paul de Groot, O.Carm

4pm: Close - tea/coffee