More than a quarter of a million pounds has been awarded to Lichfield Cathedral to help secure the future of the 900-year-old building.
It is one of 142 historic sites to be awarded money by the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
The grant of £264,404 will be used to pay for urgent masonry repairs to the flying buttresses on the south side of the cathedral which are putting the south side of the building at risk of collapse.
The Dean of Lichfield, the Very Revd Adrian Dorber, said:
“Lichfield Cathedral is extremely grateful to the Culture Recovery Fund for a grant to enable the repair of the south nave buttresses.
“Without this unprecedented investment, the cathedral’s future was at risk. This grant will ensure that vital repairs can be made, that the cathedral continues to be here for the 100,000 visitors who visit each year from around the world.
“We are also very grateful to The Dulverton Trust which has awarded £50,000 towards the buttress repairs.”
The Very Revd Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield
The latest round of funding has seen £35million distributed to historic sites.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said:
“From local churches to ancient buildings and landscapes, the UK’s unique heritage makes our towns, cities and villages stronger, more vibrant and helps bring communities together.
“This latest funding will help protect sites including Jane Austen’s House and Hampton Court Palace for future generations and help them build back better from the pandemic.”
Nadine Dorries MP
I wonder how much I could get to do up my house, sorry, temple to my invisible floating deity.
And this to one of the richest organisations and landowners in the country. Dear God, literally!
Nodge – I think one should put religious belief or lack of aside in cases like this. The cathedral is a magnificent building of historical significance. And if it did fall down the council would compulsory purchase the land and then sell it to a housing developer.
Regardless of your religious beliefs and I’m no fan of the Church of England but I think it is vital we preserve magnificent buildings like the Cathedral. The cultural, historical and architectural significance of these buildings is unsurpassable. It’s just a shame the very wealthy owners of the buildings and land don’t look after it. Maybe they should set the building up as a charity and use it for a wider range of local events.
It is really a question of priorities. The Victorians simply removed buildings that were past their use by date. They also updated churches beyond any historical interest they might have had.
Maintaining buildings like the Houses of Parliament will run into billions and they will still deteriorate. Is it money well spent? When would you give up on it for something new?
The money being spent is from public funds (largely).
Many might think the money would be better used elsewhere. Nothing is forever. Those who espouse religious museums should foot their own maintenance costs.
The cathedral is beautiful however I think the church should be funding it. The church has untold wealth from land properties and investments.
https://inews.co.uk/news/why-is-the-church-of-england-worth-so-much-and-how-does-it-make-money-197472
The Church of England do seem to like propping up crumbling buildings that are centuries old, instead of facing practicalities and replacing them with new buildings that are fit for purpose. And with the money and reserves they have, why do others have to foot the bill? Take lots of nice pictures of it, then replace it, instead of throwing good money after bad, or pay for it themselves.