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How The Money Will Be Spent

Conservation of the fabric

The core part of the fundraising programme is focused on the Cathedral's fabric. The major conservation projects already identified will cost £30 million.  Fabric conservation is, undoubtedly, the most urgent element of the campaign.  If action is not taken now, the rate of decay will increase dramatically with potentially disastrous consequences.  Parts of the roof are already leaking badly, elements of the masonry are crumbling and the longer the stained glass is left untreated, the more immense will be the conservation challenge.  An integrated conservation programme that addresses the priority areas has been drawn up by the Surveyor to the Fabric, John Burton. 

Re-leading the Roof (£7.5 million)

The single biggest challenge is the roof.  Not surprisingly for a building of this size, the Cathedral is covered by a huge expanse of lead and whilst the majority of the wooden framework remains sound, much of the lead itself needs replacing.  This is a mammoth task, particularly over the Nave, Transepts and Quire.  In addition, a large amount of concrete encasing the bottom of the roof beams needs to be removed and replaced with traditional wooden footers.  This is a highly complex structural challenge and an extremely expensive but vital undertaking.

You can be part of this great project by sponsoring one of the new lead roof trays which will be engraved with up to 3 initials of your choice. Click here for more information.

Stonemasonry (£16 million)

Conservation of the external masonry, particularly on the northern side of the building, is equally as important as the roof.  The Cathedral is in part built of Caen stone which, although very resistant to time and the elements, will not last for ever.  Detailed archaeological studies are undertaken to identify exactly which stones need to be replaced or repaired.  In addition, specialist cleaning techniques are used to remove accumulated chemical deposits which, as well as being extremely unsightly, are very damaging to the building.

Did you know that you can sponsor one of the new stones being carved for the Cathedral from just £5 a month? It is a lovely way to play your part in this conservation project perhaps as a family or as part of a community group or in memory of a loved one. Click here for more information.

Internal Repairs and Conservation (£3 million)

As the elements attack the outside of the building, over the years millions of worshippers, pilgrims and visitors have taken their toll on the interior.  Decoration of the vaults of the Trinity Chapel, major improvements to the Treasury building which contains amongst other things the choir practice rooms, conservation work in several other chapels and a raft of other minor works will transform the interior of the cathedral for the benefit of all its users.

Glass Restoration and Conservation (£2 million)

The earliest coloured glass windows in the Cathedral date from the late 12th Century, whilst others are as new as the four Ervin Bossanyi windows in the South-East Transept (1957).  Many have already been conserved and protected by the highly skilled team of stained glass conservators, led by the international expert Leonie Seliger.  However much remains to be done, not least of which includes the late 12th Century Oculus window in the South-East Transept.