GRANTS totalling £5,423,000 have been awarded for essential repairs to 18 Anglican and six Roman Catholic cathedrals, from a government fund established to ensure that they were ready to undertake events marking the centenary of the First World War.
The money, which is the final phase of the two-year programme announced in the 2014 Budget (News, 21 March 2014), will cover work on stained glass, stone pinnacles, roofs, drainage, and lighting.
In total, the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund has allocated £40 million through 146 grants to 57 cathedrals: 12 of them will receive more than £1 million each. The latest awards range from £500,000 for roof and other high-level repairs at Ely to £20,000 for glazing and masonry work at Arundel RC cathedral.
The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, who is president of the Greater Churches Network, said: “Cathedrals are not only the jewel in the crown of our built heritage: they are at the heart of our nation’s common life — through commemoration, remembering, celebration, and grief. People can find space and solace in them, both in large acts of worship and solitary contemplation.
“These welcome grants ensure that they continue to enrich our society in the future.”