Project Funding Update
/November 2020
Every 5 years the Cathedral has an in-depth inspection of repairs and conservation work. The last one was carried out in early 2018. Since that time over £1million has been raised, much of it by the Rochester Cathedral Trust, to tackle the most urgent projects. The most recent, the restoration of the ceiling and vaults above the South Quire, was completed in September, resulting in the removal of the unsightly temporary netting strung below the ceiling.
Also recently completed was the restoration of the most urgent of the repairs to the glazing. The total cost of the project was £54,000 and all the funding was secured by the Rochester Cathedral Trust.
A ten-year plan is in place to work through all the work that is required to restore our magnificent ancient buildings and to improve the Cathedral's infrastructure. Our focus now is on the high-level external masonry on the north nave aisle where 12th and 13th century Caen stone masonry is badly deteriorating and is in urgent need of conservation. Work also needs to be done to the leadwork on the parapet and to the masonry surrounding the windows on the northern façade. This work will cost £162,000. Added to this are Health & Safety projects, which take priority, surrounding paving and railings with a cost of another £51,000. All these projects are funded and work can commence when permission have been obtained.
Going forward, the projects are:
Drainage on the south side of the Cathedral
Lighting, Sound and Heating systems in the Cathedral
Garden works in the Orchard and proposed new Knot garden
