A £1 million project to restore the central spire of Lichfield Cathedral is getting underway.
Damaged or eroded stone will be replaced during a 12-month initiative which will see extensive public involvement.
Local residents will get the chance to attend demonstrations by modern-day craftspeople using traditional techniques to restore part of the Grade 1-listed building.
Lichfield Cathedral is one of only three cathedrals in the UK with three spires and the only medieval one of the three.
The original Norman cathedral was replaced by the present Gothic successor which was extensively damaged during the Civil War, when the central spire collapsed.
The spire was rebuilt under Charles 11 and a full restoration of the fabric was carried out in the 19th century – but over the years the spire has deteriorated and Storm George in 2019 caused some of the stone tracing to collapse.
The restoration is part-funded by a £249,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The project seeks to tell the story of the craftspeople who have worked on the cathedral over the last 800 years and will see wide community engagement.
The Very Revd Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield said: “It is a significant moment in the history of Lichfield Cathedral. The funding allows us to repair and replace damaged or eroded stone on the central spire, and we can also raise awareness of this impressive landmark standing at the heart of the city.
“The central spire serves two purposes; to be a beacon of hope to the community it serves, and to point people’s gaze towards God, the foundation of our faith and the reason for the construction of this ancient and sacred building.”
In addition to the grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, significant funds have also been pledged by the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation, HS2 Community and Environment Fund, and the Headley Trust.
