Winchester Cathedral has launched a major new conservation campaign aimed at preserving part of its medieval structure for future generations.
Called Stone by Stone, the initiative is a multi-million pound, 10-year effort focused on conserving the exterior of the English cathedral’s South Nave Aisle. The project will involve extensive repairs to the 900-year-old Gothic building, including cleaning masonry, replacing damaged stonework, and conserving medieval stained glass.
The campaign also includes a public fundraising drive that offers supporters the chance to sponsor individual stones used in the restoration work. Donors contributing £500 will support the cleaning and repair of a single stone and receive an invitation to a special tour and talk. Those giving £1,000 will additionally have their chosen initials carved onto the back of a replacement stone, alongside receiving a digital photograph of the carving.
“We need to act now to arrest the deterioration of our stone,” explained Alasdair Akass, Director of Development at Winchester Cathedral. “This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the ongoing conservation of this most precious of buildings – and to see your initials carved in stone.”
The family of the late Revd Canon Gary Philbrick is already supporting the project, and is pictured visiting the scaffold in spring this year. Photo courtesy Winchester Cathedral
Akass added that the cathedral receives “no regular routine or operational funding from either government or the Church of England,” making public support essential for the preservation of the historic site.
Built beginning in the late eleventh century, Winchester Cathedral is among the largest medieval cathedrals in northern Europe. Over centuries, exposure to weather and environmental conditions has gradually damaged sections of the exterior stonework, particularly around windows and doorways. Recent inspections, including the cathedral’s latest five-year survey, identified urgent repairs needed along the South Nave Aisle.
The restoration programme will proceed gradually from west to east, repairing the structure bay by bay. Initial work is being concentrated near Curle’s Passage, a busy pedestrian route through the Cathedral Close, where deteriorating masonry has raised concerns about public safety.
Southern exterior of Winchester Cathedral – photo by James O’Gorman / Wikimedia Commons
The work will be carried out by the cathedral’s own team of heritage craftspeople and stonemasons. Winchester Cathedral is one of only 11 English cathedrals belonging to the Cathedrals Workshop Fellowship, a network dedicated to preserving traditional building skills and training new generations of craftspeople.
The conservation programme will include repointing historic masonry, replacing damaged stone, and hand-carving architectural features such as grotesques and gargoyles where necessary. Specialist conservators will also work alongside the stonemasons to restore medieval stained glass and its supporting metal framework.
The fundraising campaign comes at a time when many English cathedrals are facing financial pressure. A recent report by the think tank Theos warned that English cathedrals face a continuing “perma-crisis” caused by large structural funding deficits, increasing pressure on historic institutions to seek greater public support.
British sculptor Antony Gormley also voiced support for the project. “Winchester Cathedral, built in the floodplain of the river Itchen, the site of St Swithun’s shrine, the saint most closely associated with our weather, links water to light in its magnificent stone tracery,” he said. “This restoration program is vital to preserve its history and continue its unfolding legacy.”
More information about the Stone by Stone campaign can be found on the cathedral’s website.
Winchester Cathedral has launched a major new conservation campaign aimed at preserving part of its medieval structure for future generations.
Called Stone by Stone, the initiative is a multi-million pound, 10-year effort focused on conserving the exterior of the English cathedral’s South Nave Aisle. The project will involve extensive repairs to the 900-year-old Gothic building, including cleaning masonry, replacing damaged stonework, and conserving medieval stained glass.
The campaign also includes a public fundraising drive that offers supporters the chance to sponsor individual stones used in the restoration work. Donors contributing £500 will support the cleaning and repair of a single stone and receive an invitation to a special tour and talk. Those giving £1,000 will additionally have their chosen initials carved onto the back of a replacement stone, alongside receiving a digital photograph of the carving.
“We need to act now to arrest the deterioration of our stone,” explained Alasdair Akass, Director of Development at Winchester Cathedral. “This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the ongoing conservation of this most precious of buildings – and to see your initials carved in stone.”
Akass added that the cathedral receives “no regular routine or operational funding from either government or the Church of England,” making public support essential for the preservation of the historic site.
Built beginning in the late eleventh century, Winchester Cathedral is among the largest medieval cathedrals in northern Europe. Over centuries, exposure to weather and environmental conditions has gradually damaged sections of the exterior stonework, particularly around windows and doorways. Recent inspections, including the cathedral’s latest five-year survey, identified urgent repairs needed along the South Nave Aisle.
The restoration programme will proceed gradually from west to east, repairing the structure bay by bay. Initial work is being concentrated near Curle’s Passage, a busy pedestrian route through the Cathedral Close, where deteriorating masonry has raised concerns about public safety.
The work will be carried out by the cathedral’s own team of heritage craftspeople and stonemasons. Winchester Cathedral is one of only 11 English cathedrals belonging to the Cathedrals Workshop Fellowship, a network dedicated to preserving traditional building skills and training new generations of craftspeople.
The conservation programme will include repointing historic masonry, replacing damaged stone, and hand-carving architectural features such as grotesques and gargoyles where necessary. Specialist conservators will also work alongside the stonemasons to restore medieval stained glass and its supporting metal framework.
The fundraising campaign comes at a time when many English cathedrals are facing financial pressure. A recent report by the think tank Theos warned that English cathedrals face a continuing “perma-crisis” caused by large structural funding deficits, increasing pressure on historic institutions to seek greater public support.
British sculptor Antony Gormley also voiced support for the project. “Winchester Cathedral, built in the floodplain of the river Itchen, the site of St Swithun’s shrine, the saint most closely associated with our weather, links water to light in its magnificent stone tracery,” he said. “This restoration program is vital to preserve its history and continue its unfolding legacy.”
More information about the Stone by Stone campaign can be found on the cathedral’s website.
Top Image: Photo by Photo by benjgibbs / Flickr
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