Western Morning News

Grants to fix Truro cathedral SW tower

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TRURO Cathedral has received a financial boost from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help fund repairs during the coronaviru­s pandemic.

Lifeline grants from the Culture Recovery Fund are designed to protect heritage sites and ensure that jobs and access to culture and heritage in local communitie­s are protected during the months ahead.

Truro Cathedral has been awarded £20,000 for essential stonework repairs needed for its South West tower.

Grants of up to £25,000 are being allocated to cherished heritage sites, like Truro Cathedral, across the country to cover urgently needed maintenanc­e and repairs. This vital funding comes from a part of the Culture Recovery Fund called the Heritage Stimulus Fund and is administer­ed on behalf of the government by Historic England.

As well as rescuing precious heritage buildings in need, the injection of cash will protect livelihood­s for some of the most vulnerable heritage specialist­s and contractor­s working in the sector.

Truro Cathedral is Cornwall’s only cathedral and plays an important role in providing both sacred space and common ground to its community.

The cathedral was completed in the 1880s and the neo-gothic building was designed by John Loughborou­gh Pearson. It is the home of the much-loved Nine Lessons and Carols Festival service. As well as holding regular and special services, it is also used as a venue for many community and music events.

Sean O Neill, chief operating officer at Truro Cathedral, said: “This funding is a real boon for us at a time when our income is significan­tly depleted. Even when the nation is under lockdown, the cathedral still needs maintainin­g, preserving and keeping safe. Our resources are under more pressure than ever before and being enabled to undertake costly works such as these is a real lifeline, with the funding covering much of the cost of this important repair.”

Duncan Wilson, Historic England chief executive, said: “Historic places across the country are being supported by the Government’s grants awarded under the Culture Recovery Fund. This funding is a lifeline which is kick-starting essential repairs and maintenanc­e at many of our most precious historic sites, so they can begin to recover from the damaging effects of Covid-19.

“It is also providing employment for skilled craft workers who help keep historic places alive and the wheels of the heritage sector turning.”

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