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31 cathedrals benefit from First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund

Posted on: October 27, 2014 1:57 PM
Bristol Cathedral
Photo Credit: Adrian Pingstone
Related Categories: Cathedrals, England, WW1

ChurchCare, the buildings division of the Church of England, welcomed the announcement today by Culture Secretary Sajid Javid of £8.3 million in grants for 31 English cathedrals. The money has come from a government-sponsored fund set up to support vital repairs to some of England's most important historic buildings.

Mr Javid announced that the grants will provide 25 Church of England and six Catholic cathedrals with grants worth between £15k and £600k for repairs ranging from roofs, stonework and structural work through to detailed work on intricate stained glass windows.

The successful applicants will receive £8.3 million of money made available as part of the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund. This is the second round of grants from the £20 million Fund, which was announced in the Chancellor's March budget. The third round with £7 million to award will close on 21 January 2015 and all projects awarded money will be complete by March 2016.

The Bishop of Worcester, Rt Revd  Dr John Inge, lead bishop for Cathedrals and Church Buildings said:

Cathedrals are a success story, not just for the Church but for the cities where they are located and the millions of people who enjoy their architectural splendour, magnificent music and open welcome each year. It is entirely appropriate that the government has recognised that in supporting cathedrals, they are also supporting local communities across England. The outcome of these grants will have echoes far beyond mere building works. It is an investment in beautiful places which in turn support and encourage the people amongst whom they minister, making a significant contribution to human flourishing in each of our cathedral cities and beyond."

Sir Paul Ruddock, Chair of the Expert Panel, First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund 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 grants is providing vital support to keep them open for all to enjoy."

Rt Hon Frank Field MP, Chairman, Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, said:

"As moving commemorations of the First World War continue to be held across England, it is a most excellent thing to see taxpayer's money being used to create a lasting legacy of cathedral grants which takes the pressure off building repairs and allows cathedrals to be the centres of remembrance and worship that people rely on them to be. There is always more to be done, but through this scheme government has begun a very vital task."

Cathedrals are a key part of forming the cultural identity of many of England's cities, and are powerful symbols of our shared history. But this does not mean they are just icons of the past. They are active and powerful community hubs. In several cities they are at the centre of urban regeneration, providing a focus for civic pride. This includes many cathedrals supported by this round of grant, such as Peterborough and Blackburn, which are both creating vibrant new cathedral quarters.

The Church of England's 42 cathedrals alone welcome over 11m visitors a year, employ over 6,000 staff  and are supported by over 15,000 dedicated volunteers; demonstrating how much cathedrals contribute to, but also depend upon, the communities around them. Church of England cathedrals contribute annually at least £350 million for the national economy. These grants will help them to complete works which are urgently needed for them to stay safe, open and welcoming, and to continue to make this contribution to their communities.

Notes:

ChurchCare, the Cathedral and Church Buildings Division, is the Church of England's national resource, supporting the conservation and development of the Church of England's 16,000 parish churches and 42 cathedrals for worship, mission and community engagement.  Details about the work of ChurchCare can be found at:

http://www.churchcare.co.uk/

Full list of recipients below:

Cathedral

Denomination

Project

Grant awarded

Arundel

RC

Repairs to south side windows

£200,000

Birmingham St Chads

RC

High level repairs

£227,000

Blackburn Cathedral

CofE

High level repairs

£314,251

Bradford

CofE

Repairs to State Gate

£349,479

Bristol

CofE

Replacement boilers

£184,000

Canterbury

CofE

Repairs to north west transept

£150,000

Chelmsford

CofE

Repairs to tower

£268,622

Chester

CofE

High level works and emergency lighting

£300,000

Chichester

CofE

Replacing roof to south-east transept

£100,000

Clifton (Bristol)

RC

Roof repairs

£600,000

Coventry

CofE

Repairs to Crypts

£216,265

Ely

CofE

Repairs to south transept

£392,060

Exeter

CofE

Repairs to Chapel of St Andrew & St Catherine

£277,547

Hereford

CofE

Repairs to roofs

£300,000

Lancaster RC

RC

Replacement electrical distribution board

£15,000

Lincoln

CofE

Repairs to NW transept triforium roof

£300,000

Liverpool Anglican

CofE

Repairs to Lady Chapel and nave roof

£275,000

Manchester

CofE

Roof replacement/reinstatement

£225,000

Newcastle

CofE

Repairs to library roof

£155,572

Norwich

CofE

Works to north clerestory & presbytery

£491,000

Peterborough

CofE

Repairs to Old Baptistry gable

£88,433

Portsmouth

CofE

Repairs to tower and south transept

£594,783

Rochester

CofE

Repairs to roof

£153,000

Ripon

CofE

Repairs to north transept and east elevation

£354,617

Sheffield St Marie

RC

Repairs to spire

£270,528

Southwark RC (St Georges)

RC

Repairs to parapets

£167,000

Truro

CofE

Repairs to nave and nave aisle roof

£500,000

Wakefield

CofE

Repairs to lead roof of quire and nave

£220,000

Wells

CofE

Repairs to north nave aisle roof

£160,000

Worcester

CofE

Repairs to east window

£250,316

York Minster

CofE

Repairs to Camera Cantorum stonework and  roof

£200,000

 

Statistics for Round Two

TOTAL to cathedrals £8,299,473

TOTAL successful applications: 31 (out of 37)

TOTAL to Catholic Cathedrals: £1,479,528

TOTAL to Anglican Cathedrals £6,819,945

Out of the total £20million, £13m has been spent across two rounds,

leaving £7m for the third round in January/February 2015.