It has cost £6 million pounds and taken 18-months to complete, but the first phase in a phenomenal restoration of Gloucester Cathedral is finally on display to the public.
Project Pilgrim Phase One was supported by a £4.6 million pounds National Lottery grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to pay for work to conserve the cathedral’s Lady Chapel which was previously at risk.
Other work included the transformation of the old car park into a public green space; improving access to the cathedral for disabled visitors; installing 150 solar panels on the roof of the Nave; and improving outreach facilities, to make the cathedral a space for all.
The Cathedral is inviting residents and visitors to the city to ‘party like pilgrims’ with a medieval-themed family fun day at the cathedral on Sunday 24 June 2018.
SoGlos was invited to a special celebratory evening held at the cathedral on Thursday 14 June 2018, where a special commemorative stone block was unveiled. The Right Reverend Rachel Treweek – bishop of Gloucester opened her speech at the celebration with the words: ‘I love this cathedral’, a sentiment that was echoed in speeches from the very reverend Stephen Lake, dean of Gloucester; Paul James, leader of the city council and Wilbert Smith, committee member for the Heritage Lottery Fund.
At the launch event of @GlosCathedral, @BishGloucester says “I LOVE this Cathedral” And we’re inclined to agree. https://t.co/1XfLtENsun ???? pic.twitter.com/kkE3zlTYPm
— SoGlos (@soglos) June 14, 2018
The Very Reverend Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester said: ‘We are delighted to announce the completion of building work on Project Pilgrim Phase One: The Heart of Gloucester.
‘This marks a significant milestone for Gloucester Cathedral and we are proud of what has been achieved so far. However, none of this work would have been possible without the generosity, patience and faith which so many people have given over the life of the project. This was our opportunity to say a heartfelt, personal thank you to all those who helped us turn the Cathedral’s Pilgrim vision into a reality.’
On the night, an incredible time-lapse of the work to complete Project Pilgrim was released. You can check it out below.
For more information, see Gloucester Cathedral call (01452) 528095 or visit gloucestercathedral.org.uk directly.
