November 29, 2016 12.40 pm This story is over 87 months old

Lincoln Cathedral secures £38k towards urgent repairs

Lincoln Cathedral has secured a £38,000 grant towards urgent repairs and maintenance of its tower pinnacles. The iconic cathedral was named among 24 Church of England and Roman Catholic cathedrals to secure much needed government funding as part of the First World War Centenary Commemoration fund. Work is hoped to extend the life of twelve pinnacle structures, which sit…

Lincoln Cathedral has secured a £38,000 grant towards urgent repairs and maintenance of its tower pinnacles.

The iconic cathedral was named among 24 Church of England and Roman Catholic cathedrals to secure much needed government funding as part of the First World War Centenary Commemoration fund.

Work is hoped to extend the life of twelve pinnacle structures, which sit on top of the cathedral’s three towers, for a further 25 years, until conservation work can be carried out on the towers themselves.

The funding injection, which is the cathedral’s fourth from the fund, brings the amount promised for restoration works to £1.2 million.

Works on the North West Tower. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Works on the North West Tower. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Bids were secured for 24 cathedrals in the final round of the £40m fund, with latest grants totalling £5,423,000.

Once the tallest building in the world, Lincoln Cathedral’s twelve pinnacles sit on the top of three towers.

Management teams say they have battled all weathers through the years and are fixed in place on top of the towers, relying on the weigh of the lead and gravity to hold them in place.

The Subdean, The Reverend Canon John Patrick. said: “Chapter is proud of our skilled workforce and extremely grateful for the continued support of the First World War Centenary Commemoration Fund, which contributes and supports the continuation of essential work to this wonderful cathedral.

“This is the fourth tranche of funding we have received from this fund over the last three years and the amount received totals £707,000, a further £518,000 has been awarded.

“The fund has supported essential repairs to the North West Turret, due to be completed in February 2017 and the North West Transept and St Hugh’s Choir Triforium works which will be on-going until the summer of 2017.”

Works Manager at Lincoln Cathedral, Carol Heidschuster and stone conservator Neil Bywater at the Swineherd of Stow. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Works Manager at Lincoln Cathedral, Carol Heidschuster and stone conservator Neil Bywater at the Swineherd of Stow. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Carol Heidschuster, Works Manager added: “Funding for specific projects is getting harder and harder to come across and so we are incredibly thankful for the support from this fund.

“Lincoln Cathedral is the only Cathedral in England to be on the Heritage England ‘At Risk’ register and it is our job to protect and safeguard it for the future.

“The twelve pinnacles which sit at the top of the three towers present several hurdles for us; access being one of them.

“After a lengthy process of surveying the pinnacles it was established that restoration work was necessary. This release of funds enables this work to be completed.

“Repairs to the leadwork and stabilisation of the timber structure will ensure they last until we can commence the huge task of conservation of the Towers in the future.

“25 years may seem a long way off, but in cathedral terms it is a mere blink of an eye. This funding will enable us to complete this essential work.”