The Dean of Lichfield Cathedral has welcomed a recommendation from the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts that cathedrals should receive direct funding from Government.

The recommendation, contained in the Committee's newly-published report on Promoting Participation with the Historic Environment, states: “English cathedrals represent some of our most important architectural heritage yet many of them charge the public for entry. These buildings are expensive to look after and the Department and English Heritage should work together to find ways to fund their conservation so that they can be less reliant on charging for entry, which could deter people from visiting.”

Chapter and The Dean of Lichfield, Adrian Dorber, held a film screening of The Race to Save the Herkenrode Glass on Saturday 24th October 2009 at 11.00am in Lichfield Cathedral.

The film was made by the BBC historian Michael Wood, and his wife Rebecca Dobbs, to highlight the importance of the conservation of the glass and stonework in the Cathedral.

The event was attended by over 250 people and included members of the congregation, previous visitors to the Cathedral, historians, glass and stone work enthusiasts. The Very Revd. Adrian Dorber, started the proceedings by introducing The Earl of Lichfield, who also took part in the film, Michael Wood then introduced the short film in which he traces the history and significance of the glass as well as the intricacies of the preservation processes for both the glass and masonry over the next five years. After the film Christine King, Vice Chancellor of Staffordshire University, gave a captivating speech on the glass and why we need to ensure we save the glass for the future. The Very Revd. Adrian Dorber ended the proceedings with a presentation of a carved piece of stonework to Michael as a thank you for the film.

Work on the Herkenrode windows begins in earnest on Monday 20 July. In the first week, a fire-proof screen will be erected at the west end of the Lady Chapel, sealing off everything east of the ends of the quire aisles, from floor to ceiling. After Sunday 19 July it will not be possible to enter (or even see into) the Lady Chapel for a period of up to eighteen months. It will not be possible to use the Lady Chapel for worship during that time, and visitors will be unable to view (for example) the Selwyn Memorial.

The Herkenrode Glass in Lichfield Cathedral

From the end of July 2009 the glorious East End of Lichfield Cathedral will be boarded up in preparation for the removal of the internationally important sixteenth century Herkenrode glass to renovation workshops, and the restoration of masonry which surrounds and supports it. The medieval pinnacles and buttresses are so weathered that the failure of any one buttress could lead to a catastrophic collapse of the wall and roof and the shattering of the glass. The work will take five years and cost an estimated £800,000 to complete.

We will keep you updated of our progress during the renovation but please be aware the Lady Chapel and the Herkenrode glass will be inaccessible.