Chester Cathedral has received further funding as part of the third phase of the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund.
More urgent repairs will be able to be made to 24 Church of England and seven Catholic cathedrals thanks to the announcement of £6.9 million in grants from the government-sponsored fund set up to support vital repairs to some of England’s most important historic buildings.
Chester Cathedral plan to use the funding they secured through a competitive application process to repair areas of roofing above the building’s Cloisters. The cathedral will receive £274,752 to undertake some urgent relaying and drainage work.
Director of Operations at Chester Cathedral, Simon Warburton, said:
“We are thrilled to have been successful in the third round of the Repairs Fund, especially as the application process was so competitive. The money we have received will be put to very good use.
The cathedral Cloisters, some of the best preserved in the country, are a very important part of our building as they tell the story of our life as a medieval monastic complex.
The proposed work is much needed as it will ensure this area is water tight. This means that we can keep the cathedral doors open and people can continue to enjoy this magnificent space for free.
The last comprehensive restoration of the Cloisters was in the 1930s – so this is most definitely an area of our building in need of some attention.”
The Church of England's 42 cathedrals are estimated to contribute around £220 million to the national economy every year through employment and tourism. They welcome more than 11 million visitors annually, employ more than 7,000 people and are supported by 15,000 dedicated volunteers.
Rt Hon Frank Field MP, Chairman, Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, said:
“In the year of the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, six copies of which are still held by cathedrals, it is timely to consider the place of the church in the life of the nation. In the case of cathedrals it is clear that they provide much more than services. They offer a spiritual and physical sanctuary from everyday life, a chance to experience something greater. It is right and proper that the Government is supporting the care of these places and the huge range of initiatives – from food banks and night shelters to concerts and exhibitions – that cathedrals run for the benefit of us all.”
