The Walker Lapthorne Award

Walker Lapthorne was the Chair of the Exeter Diocesan Advisory Committee between 2019 and 2023. He was passionate about helping parishes to fully utilise the potential of their church buildings. Walker has been hugely missed since his death in 2023; and from 2024 onwards we have re-named the DAC Annual Award as the Walker Lapthorne Award in his memory.

The Walker Lapthorne Award recognises and honours the work and dedication of those responsible for exceptional Faculty applications. During the course of its work, the DAC receives a great number of applications for a wide range of proposals. Some of these applications stand out – either for the quality of the work proposed, or more often for the preparation and management of a scheme from inception to formal submission.

This Award is intended to identify those applications which have met and exceeded the required standards. Every Faculty application is assessed in terms of the presentation and information submitted with the application, and the quality of the actual works being undertaken.

Awards are given in the Spring following the year in which their application was submitted.

The recipients of the Walker Lapthorne Award in 2024 were:

Stockland, St Michael and All Saints – installation of under pew and radiant heaters

The team at Stockland submitted an application for heating that was appropriate to the context and will enhance use of the building. The presentation was clear and comprehensive. Their thorough research on potential heating sources was well evidenced. Furthermore, the parish engaged positively with DAC advisers, adapting elements of their original proposal in line with feedback, to ensure that the best solution for the building was identified.

Brent Tor, Christ Church – installation of LED lighting and under pew heaters

The parish worked closely with their church architect to develop a scheme for new lighting and heating that was appropriate for this historic building and its usage. This application was a good example of the value added to a proposal by a parish involving its professional adviser. The documentation provided was clear, comprehensive and to the point. This facilitated prompt recommendation of the scheme by the DAC to the Chancellor.

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