The grant has been awarded to Truro Cathedral to assist with restoration of the iconic central spire, improve interpretation facilities in the Cathedral for its 170,000 visitors, build a new entrance at the east end of the Cathedral, create a new Education Centre employing a dedicated full time Education Officer and to develop the Cathedral Green giving wider access to the local community.

The grant means that urgent restoration work to the Central Spire will be able to start in the New Year. It is anticipated that this first phase of restoration work will take at least nine months to complete.

Inspire Cornwall is a £4milllion project designed to inspire the community through nature, education, music and art and heritage.

The Cathedral Chapter's vision is:
• To preserve the iconic skyline of Truro, by restoring the spire of Cornwall's Cathedral
• To create a green oasis in the heart of the city
• To establish a leading centre for education, music and art at the core of the community

The first phase of the project will focus on Restoration of the Central Spire. Although the majority of the Cathedral is built from local granite, many of the features like the spires and towers are made from Bath stone. This stone was used because it is much easier to carve than granite. The Cornish climate, with its salt laden winds and driving rain, has done its own carving of the Bath stone and left it in a precarious state. Restoration work will use Syerford Stone, a stronger alternative. Preparation work in advance of the Restoration will include scaffolding the 250 foot Spire. This will commence before Christmas and will take twelve weeks to complete.

 

Whilst the HLF grant has greatly assisted the Cathedral's fundraising appeal, further funds are still needed. The Save Our Spire Sponsor Our Stones scheme launched in August has raised over £30,000 towards the Restoration Project. The simple scheme enables donors to sponsor a stone at £15, £30 or £250. In return, their name is recorded in the Cathedral Archives and they receive a special "SOS" certificate signed by the Dean. The certificate can be given as a unique gift - ideal for a Christmas Present! Full details of the Scheme are available from the Appeal Administrator at the Cathedral Office 01872 245013 or from the Inspire Cornwall website.

 

The Very Revd Dr Christopher Hardwick, Dean of Truro said "The Cathedral Chapter is thrilled by the news of the award from the Heritage Lottery Fund. We thank them for their support and encouragement of the Inspire Cornwall Project. The award gives a huge boost to our fundraising efforts. The Cathedral Chapter also wishes to record its thanks to all of our other generous supporters. We hope that putting up the scaffolding and the start of the Restoration programme will generate further enthusiasm so that more people will be encouraged to sponsor a stone and help preserve the iconic skyline of Truro as part of the Inspire Cornwall Project".

 

Nerys Watts, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South West, said: "Truro Cathedral is important both to the local community and as a part of Cornwall's built heritage. We at HLF are proud to be able to support the Inspire Cornwall project in restoring the iconic central spire and by opening new opportunities for visitors of all ages. The creation of a new learning space at the Chapter House, new displays and self-guided tours will give more people the chance to come and learn about this beautiful cathedral."