Cathedrals secure £8million for repairs as part of First World War Centenary Fund
Second round of grants from the First World War (FWW) Centenary Cathedral Repair Fund announced by Culture Secretary Sajid Javid
Exeter Cathedral Pic Credit: Hugh Llewelyn
Cathedrals across England will receive over £8million for urgent repairs. From Arundel to York, 31 cathedrals across England will now be able to fix leaking roofs, repair stained glass windows and spires, and carry out many other important works, making the total number of cathedrals receiving funding through the programme 41.
The fund was announced in Budget 2014, and set up in April this year in recognition of the powerful symbol our cathedrals are of Britain’s shared history, as well as the significant role they will play throughout the commemorations of the centenary of the First World War.
Visiting Portsmouth Cathedral which is to receive nearly £600,000, Culture Secretary Sajid Javid, who also leads the Government’s FWW Centenary programme, said:
Our heritage in this country is precious and unique. We need to do all we can to protect it for future generations. This second round of grants will ensure that even more of our magnificent and awe-inspiring cathedrals can complete urgent and much needed repairs, so they can continue to play a huge role in the communities they serve.
Our places of worship are also playing a huge part in all our plans to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, and this Fund is helping to ensure they can fulfil this role to remember those who gave so much for us so many years ago.
Rt Honourable George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer said:
Many Britons will have visited a cathedral this summer to attend a remembrance service marking the Great War, and this £8m grant, part of £20m I announced at the last Budget, will ensure that these beautiful and historic buildings remain much loved places of worship and remembrance for another century to come. Our great cathedrals are the envy of the world, bringing many tourists to the cities of UK, so this investment is also great value for taxpayers.
Sir Paul Ruddock, Chair of the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund expert panel and Chairman of the Victoria & Albert Museum, said:
The appeal of cathedrals is vast and enduring. Every part of English history can be seen somewhere within their walls, and I am delighted that this second round of grant is providing vital support to keep them open for all to enjoy.
The £20million Cathedral Repairs Fund was announced by the Chancellor in the Budget 2014. Grants will allow cathedrals to undertake urgent repair work, including keeping the building wind-proof, weather-tight, safe and open to the public, and preventing further deterioration of the building.
This is the second round of funding allocations and will be followed by one more. The final round will close in January 2015.
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Background
*Cathedrals can apply via an online application form available here
*Details of the cathedral grants for October 2014
North East
Newcastle CofE £155,572 Repairs to library roof
North West
Blackburn CofE £314,251 High level repairs
Manchester CofE £225,000 Roof replacement/reinstatement
Liverpool Anglican CofE £275,000 Repairs to Lady Chapel and nave roof
Lancaster RC £15,000 Replacement electrical distribution board
Chester CofE £300,000 High level works and emergency lighting
South East
Portsmouth CofE £594,783 Repairs to tower and south transcript
Arundel RC £200,000 Repairs to South side windows
Canterbury CofE £150,000 Repairs to north West
Chichester CofE £100,000 Replacing roof to south-east transcript
Rochester CofE £153,000 Repairs to roof
East of England
Chelmsford CofE £268,622 Repairs to tower
Peterborough CofE £88,433 Repairs to Old Baptistry Gable
Norwich CofE £491,000 Works to north clerestory & presbytery
Ely CofE £392,060 Repairs to south transept
West Midlands
Birmingham, St Chads RC £227,000 High level repairs
Hereford CofE £300,000 Repairs to roof
Worcester CofE £250,316 Repairs to east window
East Midlands
Coventry CofE £216,265 Repairs to Crypts
Lincoln CofE £300,000 Repairs to NW transept triforium roof
South West
Bristol CofE £184,000 Replacement boilers
Clifton (Bristol) RC £600,000 Roof repairs
Exeter CofE £277,547 Repairs to chapel of St Andrew & St Catherine
Wells CofE £160,000 Repairs to north nave aisle roof
Truro CofE £500,000 Repairs to nave and nave aisle roof
London
Southwark St. George’s RC £167,000 Repairs to parapets
Yorkshire and Humber
Ripon CofE £354,617 Repairs to north transept and east elevation
Sheffield, St Marie RC £270,528 Repairs to spire
Wakefield CofE £220,000 Repairs to lead roof of quire and nave
York Minster CofE £200,000 Repairs to Camera Cantorum stonework and roof
Bradford CofE £349,479 Repairs to state gate
*A total of 37 applications were received for this round of funding.