Crumbling churches

Many church buildings are facing an uncertain future

Debbie Exton was walking past a church on a windy day when a huge stone pinnacle snapped off the top of the church tower and crashed onto her, killing her outright.

That was four years ago.

Her family say they miss her now more than ever… and are appalled that little seems to have been done to make churches safer.

Our churches make up a massive chunk of this country's grade one listed heritage.

But they're among the worst funded in Europe, so who is keeping them safe while, at the same time, saving them from ruin?

Every five years they're inspected and told what work needs doing, but a church architect tells Inside Out that many churches simply can't afford to carry out the repairs - so they don't get done.

Battle for survival

The dangerous masonry which killed Debbie Exton

Some churches are being closed down, others are changing to survive.

One church we visited doubles up as a village hall.

Another enlists the help of a local opera singer fresh from a tour of Europe and Canada.

She pops in to give a concert and make a CD to help church funds.

Others fall victim to relentless vandalism and disrepair.

So should the burden of funding our heritage fall on to dwindling congregations? Are there other solutions?

And could what happened to Debbie Exton happen again?

Links relating to this story:

• Advisory Board for Redundant Churches
• Institute of Historic Building Conservation
• The Churches Conservation Trust
• English Heritage
• Historic Chapels Trust

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Hill farmers

Hill farming in the Peak District - female shepherds at work

The Peak District is one of the most popular national parks in the world, but what most visitors don't realise is that a lot of it has been shaped by centuries of hill farming.

Inside Out gets an insight into the world of two sisters who farm high above Ladybower Reservoir.

They're two of only a handful of female shepherds in Britain and are proud to carry on the family tradition.

Family tradition

For Kath Birkinshaw and her widowed sister Andrea Jolley, hill farming has been in their blood for generations.

Their great grandfather farmed the land before them.

Tough job - two farming sisters battle the mud and elements

They are tenant farmers for the National Trust rearing sheep and cattle on 140 acres.

But now it's becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

A recent report showed some farm incomes have declined by up to 75 per cent.

Inside Out follows them through a harsh winter, all the time surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Links relating to this story:

• Peak District National Park
• National Trust
• Friends of the Peak

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites

Prison Penpals

Prison panpals - making contact inside

Murderers, rapists and fraudsters are all on Elsa Punzi's long list of penpals.

Elsa has written thousands of letters to convicted criminals in prisons in the United States.

She is one of many women who regularly correspond with prisoners on the other side of the Atlantic, some using specialist websites to make contact.

Elsa believes people deserve a second chance and that her letters offer prisoners a vital link to the outside world.

But could there be a more sinister side to these pen pal schemes?

We hear from the Midlands psychologist who suggests some prisoners may have darker and more disturbing motives for keeping in touch.

Links relating to this story:

• HM Prison Service

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites