Happy end to the year for 12 cathedrals

The year has ended on a high note for 12 cathedrals after receiving grants towards major repairs.

The grants from the Cathedral Fabric Repair Fund range from £10,000 to £118,000, and total £718,000.

They have been made possible by a partnership between the Wolfson Foundation, Pilgrim Trust and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England.

They are awarded to cathedrals to cover major repairs to historic fabric such as stonework and roofs. Cathedrals receive the awards on the basis that they obtain matched funding.

The funds will go towards a pilot project for the Chapel of Industry at Coventry Cathedral, which looks at a major building repair issue for modern architecture.

At Peterborough Cathedral, the grant will be used on a preventive approach to tackle the challenges of climate change and deal with heavier rainfall.

The grant for Portsmouth Cathedral will fund a comprehensive repair programme which includes an attractive building with a medieval quire.

Janet Gough, Director, Cathedral and Church Buildings Division of the Archbishops' Council, said: "This is a unique fund supported by several grant-giving bodies who understand the need for a strategic funding programme to support critical repairs to our historic cathedrals, which have been and continue to be immensely significant in the nation’s life.

"We hope this is just the start of a successful partnership and that the fund will grow with further grant-making funds and private individuals joining in”.

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive, The Wolfson Foundation, said: “These are buildings of astonishing beauty and significance. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Pilgrim Trust and CFCE to provide this funding."

Georgina Nayler, Director, The Pilgrim Trust said: “The Pilgrim Trust has been contributing towards the repair of our beautiful and important Cathedrals for nearly 82 years.

"We are delighted to be part of the Cathedral Fabric Repair Fund and to be working in partnership with the CFCE and the Wolfson Foundation to continue our support”.

Frank Field MP, Chair of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England (CFCE), added: “One of the most significant aspects of these grants is that we have included a number of cathedrals for which fund-raising is less easy, and also several with innovative solutions to problems posed by 20th century materials and climate change.”

The twelve successful applicants were Bradford, Canterbury, Chichester, Coventry, Lincoln, Norwich, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Salisbury, Southwark, Wakefield and Wells cathedrals.