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The Vision

Lichfield Cathedral is inspirational. It is an astonishingly beautiful and uplifting place — for over 1,300 years it has been a place of pilgrimage, discovery, delight and spiritual refreshment. It houses treasures that tell riveting stories — waiting to be experienced and understood.

Lichfield Cathedral’s intrinsic heritage value and significance is undisputed. The experts in the field universally support the essential restoration and conservation of its treasures, particularly the unique Herkenrode stained glass windows. Despite its formidable pedigree the Cathedral has immense unused potential. To many it is a gem waiting to be discovered.

The Lichfield InSpires project will ensure that the Cathedral and its treasures are properly cared for and that they become alive and meaningful to this and future generations.

Lichfield InSpires will:

  • Ensure the Cathedral and its treasures are kept safe for future generations.
  • Make the Cathedral and the treasures it houses come alive and provide an excellent visitor experience.
  • Ensure a welcome is extended to a much wider range and a greater number of visitors.
  • Provide an insight into people’s place in history through the stories the Cathedral embodies.
  • Give people pride and a sense of identity with this regionally iconic building.
  • Offer spiritual refreshment and direction.
  • Give an opportunity for people to engage in the work of the Cathedral and the diocese.
  • Provide a first class educational resource that can be harnessed by schools and academics.

The Project:

  • Repair and restore the stonework and glass of the sixteenth century Herkenrode windows.
  • Conserve and display the other treasures of the Cathedral.
  • Transform visitor facilities, education services, access and interpretation of the Cathedral.
  • Extend and refurbish the Visitor Study Centre and the services it offers.

The Race to Save the Herkenrode Glass

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InSpires News

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.

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