Project Overview

Context

In March 2015, Guildford Cathedral secured funding through the Government's First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund, a partnership between ChurchCare, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Catholic Church.

The scheme was established in recognition of the central role Cathedrals would play through services and events to commemorate the centenary of the First World War and the need to ensure they are wind-proof, weather-tight, safe and open to the public during this time of reflection.

The Government made available £20m of funding for Cathedrals to undertake vital repairs ranging from renewing heating and lighting systems to roofing, stonework, turrets and even work on stained glass windows to ensure the buildings are showcased at their best.

Guildford Cathedral was awarded £500,000 of funding through the final round of the scheme.

The Project

Building Work

The Project will focus on essential repairs to the tower and transepts to improve the overall integrity of the Cathedral and prevent damage to the interior caused by water ingress. In addition, repairs will be undertaken to the brickworks in these parts of the building.

Work will commence in the late Summer and early Autumn and will be overseen by the Cathedral Architect, John Bailey of Thomas Ford & Partners.

As the project progresses updates will feature on this site with images of the work.

Sculpture

To commemorate the project a uncarved block of clipsham stone located on the eastern side of the tower installed in 1964, will be sculpted by a recent graduate from City and Guilds.

The work will focus on the themes of peace, reconciliation, sacrifice and loyalty. The work will carry the plaque “ in commemoration of the First World War 2015”.