Lichfield Cathedral is one of the buildings around the country that suffered in Ciara’s wake, leaving a section of glass blown in and other sections in need of assessment. Whilst the Cathedral remains open, as a precaution the Nave has been closed off to the public until the glass can be secured and the area made safe. 

From the South Side of the Cathedral, in between two buttresses, one of the trefoil windows has been blown in. From inside the section of glass is hanging from the rest of the window and other windows in that area need attention as the high winds have left the arcade windows protruding. A team of steeplejacks is coming later in the week to assess the damage and need for repairs. They will also look to secure the glass in the hope that the Nave will be reopened to the public. 

A Cathedral has stood on the site at Lichfield for over 1300 years and has withstood storms, wars and collapse. Now this ancient building, along with many other Cathedrals in the UK, is facing a lack of funding that is seeing basic and essential repair works being delayed until funds become available. A noticeable reminder is in front of the storm-damaged window: a buttress that needs structural repairs has been scaffolded for support whilst funds can be raised to undertake the work. In early 2019, Storm Gareth also left part of Lichfield Cathedral damaged; stones from the Central Spire were damaged by high winds and the tower below remains closed until the repairs can be made. 

The Very Revered Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield commented that “many of our cathedrals are immensely fragile and require the very best of our efforts to preserve them and keep them safe. Our cathedrals are amongst our greatest national and international treasures, they are at the heart of a country’s history, culture and social fabric, and a testament to its faith. We would all be so much the poorer without them” 

Lichfield Cathedral receives no government funding but relies solely on the generosity of local businesses and communities, and voluntary donations from visitors. There is no entrance fee for visiting the Cathedral, instead a donation is encouraged to go towards the upkeep of this mediaeval building. In 2019 the average donation at Lichfield Cathedral was less than a cup of coffee. Please help to keep Lichfield Cathedral open for generations to come by donating on your next visit or donating online: https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/donate/

Photos courtesy of Chris Lockwood