Royal couple to join celebrations of cathedral restoration

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will be among 150 guests at a special reception later in the month to mark the official launch of restoration works on the Close of Hereford Cathedral.

Prince Charles, who is patron of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, will tour the cathedral with Camilla Parker Bowles and meet members of staff who have been involved in planning for the project over the last seven years.

The tour will highlight several other projects undertaken by the cathedral in the last five years of Prince Charles’ patronage, including the refurbishment of the Cantilupe Shrine and the new Ethelbert icons.

“We are delighted that Their Royal Highnesses will be joining us,” said Robert Rogers, Chairman of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust. “The Prince has been kept closely informed about the Close project as it has developed and it is splendid that both he and The Duchess will be with us to mark its formal start.”

Prince Charles will also meet some of the people who work in the stone masons’ yard where the corbel to mark his 60th birthday was carved under the Sponsor-a-Stone fundraising scheme.

The restoration project is being funded by a £4 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and will see a number of changes made to the Close, including new boundaries and entrances to distinguish the area as a sacred space, new seating and improved lighting.

“Through the use of local craftsmen and businesses we hope to engage with as many as possible in this project,” said Cathedral Dean, Michael Tavinor. “The Close is a special place and we hope that by the end of the works it will truly be the setting that the cathedral deserves.

“There will be many challenges as the work is undertaken but, together, we are confident that it will give a very special place an appropriate setting,” the Dean added. “We are delighted that The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will help us celebrate our first step.”

Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, will also be in attendance.

“Hereford is one of the UK’s most historic cities, and backdrop to the world-famous Mappa Mundi,” she said. “The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to be supporting this important restoration programme which will revitalise an iconic building and its immediate surroundings.”