One of Lichfield’s parliamentary candidates has been praised for his work to help secure an £800,000 grant for Lichfield Cathedral.
The money will be spent on rewiring and installing new lighting.
The official confirmation of the grant was confirmed yesterday after a visit to the city by Sir Tony Baldry, representing the Church Commissioners.
He told the Friends of the Cathedral group that it was “fitting” that Lichfield had been given the largest slice of funding – and praised Conservative candidate Michael Fabricant for his work to highlight the Cathedral’s plight.
“The decision by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to award £20 million to English Cathedrals came about specifically because of the dire straits of Lichfield which might have had to close if the rewiring did not go ahead,” he said.
“It is therefore fitting that Lichfield Cathedral has received the largest individual grant of £800,000.
“It was Michael’s relentless questioning in the House of Commons which also kept up the pressure on the Treasury and the Chancellor to award this grant.”
Mr Fabricant said he was delighted by the news, insisting closure would have been a disaster for Lichfield.
“Regardless of whether you are an Anglican, a Muslim, Jewish, or of no religion, our Cathedral plays an important part in the life of our city.
“It would have been unthinkable if it were to have closed and it would have had dire effects on the economy and artistic life of the area.”
The lighting and rewiring will be completed within 12 months.
The candidates standing in the Lichfield constituency in May are:
- Andy Bennetts – Class War
- Michael Fabricant – Conservatives
- Robert Pass – Green Party
- John Rackham – UKIP
- Paul Ray – Lib Dem
- Chris Worsey – Labour
