News: Heritage Lottery Success

£4.6m Heritage Lottery Fund Success for the People's Cathedral

Guildford Cathedral is thrilled to announce the success of its second stage funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), securing an award of £4.6m to contribute to the long term future of this iconic Grade II* listed building.

“The People’s Cathedral Project”, a term coined in response to the 200,000 ordinary people who ‘bought a brick’ to pay for  the completion of Guildford Cathedral, is an ambitious 30 month initiative combining urgent building repairs with an exciting community engagement programme to capture and reveal the rich heritage  and history behind this stunning 20^th century building.

The Cathedral’s application to HLF was only made possible by the generosity of people and organisations from across Surrey and beyond. Their contribution through the MAKE YOUR MARK appeal enabled the Cathedral to secure the £1.3m partnership funding necessary to submit the application.

The Dean, the Very Reverend Dianna Gwilliams said: “We are delighted by the decision of the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the People’s Cathedral project. The award is another crucial step towards saving the Cathedral and transforming the Stag Hill site. We are so grateful to the many people and organisations who have given so generously and MADE THEIR MARK to keep the People’s Cathedral open.”

“This award is a recognition of the value of modern, 20^th century heritage and that Guildford Cathedral is an important piece of our modern heritage.  If you’ve never been inside the Cathedral, I would urge you to come along and experience its unique atmosphere. “

Stuart McLeod, Head of HLF South East, added “Guildford Cathedral is a remarkable building with its history deeply rooted in the surrounding community. The Heritage Lottery Fund’s investment is a direct response to the urgent need to save this rare example of a modern cathedral. The project will also help to capture and reveal the wonderful story behind ‘The People’s Cathedral’.”

Preparatory work will commence in March 2015 with building works beginning in October to remove the acoustic plaster, containing asbestos, throughout the Cathedral vaults and ceiling. A new lighting and sound system will also be installed and disabled and family access improved to help welcome an additional 9,000 visitors annually. 

An oral history project will be launched to capture over 200 memories of the brick-givers and those involved in the construction of Guildford Cathedral. This unique story will be complemented by a programme to digitise the Cathedral’s extensive and comprehensive archive containing approximately 140 boxes and 53 folders of fascinating items.

Through the project a series of apprentice and volunteering opportunities will be available to enable 350 local people of all ages to develop the necessary skills to conserve and protect the heritage of Guildford Cathedral for future generations.

Guildford Cathedral will remain open throughout the project and visitors are encouraged to come and explore the transformation in action and take part in any of the 40 specially organised heritage activities.

The project forms part of a wider ongoing £7m Cathedral Appeal to raise urgently needed funds for repairs and improvements to the site. A further £800,000 is needed to complete the Appeal. 

To download the full press release, please click HERE

Added Tuesday 3rd February 2015