CATHEDRAL SELLING OFF STONES!
Hereford Cathedral are having a final push to sell off stones from its current restoration project however these purchases will be staying on site. Friends and supporters of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust from around the country have been buying, or perhaps more appropriately phrased, sponsoring stones in the final phase of stonework being undertaken on the south side of the nave.
‘Phase four will be the last stonework we do for a while,’ said Erica Manley, who is running the sponsor-a-stone scheme for the Perpetual Trust, ‘as the final phase will be repairing and restoring the glass and lead of the south nave. We have had some wonderful gifts and it is always a joy to see people who are so thrilled at being able to have something permanent built into the cathedral.’
‘Regardless of why they are sponsoring the stone, whether to celebrate a joyous occasion or using it as a means to remember a loved one, the fact that their names and initials, which are carved onto the stone, are being built into the very fabric of the cathedral brings immense pleasure. Indeed I always think that this helps to cement the cathedral into its community as we can all have our own very special corner of the building.’
The current restoration project, which is the penultimate phase of a five-year £850,000 restoration has also received substantial funding from English Heritage, although their funding can only be drawn if we can provide the appropriate matched funding. A gift of £100, with gift aid, therefore enable almost £300 worth of work to be undertaken.
‘Although we suggest a minimum donation of around £100 for the simpler stones we always ask those who are looking to sponsor-a-stone to give what they are able, whether more or less. Many over the years have been exceedingly generous and have given considerably more, especially for the more decorative stones such as the window tracery and corbels, which of course cost us a lot more money to have carved – we have already had two donors who have very generously sponsored corbels for over £1,000 each. This is a wonderful demonstration of the love that people have for this place.’
The restoration work is being carried out by the Herefordshire-based specialist restoration company Capps & Capps Ltd and their masons can normally be seen working in the Lady Arbour on the south side of the cathedral. Sponsor forms can be collected from the masons’ yard, inside the cathedral or by visiting www.herefordcathedral.org (how to help section) or calling 01432 374261.
