Stonemasons at Hereford Cathedral are preparing themselves for some very special visitors. Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, will include the Mason’s Yard during their forthcoming visit to the Cathedral.
The Cathedral Architect, Robert Kilgour, will present Hugo Scholfield, Director of Capps & Capps, the company which runs the mason’s yard, and the Senior Mason, Simon Hudson to the royal couple during their visit to Hereford Cathedral. They will also meet some of the masons and trainees.
The stone masons are based on the north side of the historic building in public view, working in an on going restoration programme that such a building demands. The young craftsmen are a popular sight with locals and visitors.
The masons carved a corbel featuring The Prince of Wales’s feathers to mark The Prince’s sixtieth birthday,” said the Dean, Michael Tavinor. “It has been put in place on the south side of the building and it will be pointed out to His Royal Highness during the visit. People are always keen to stop by the yard and see them at work.”
Also present in the Stone Yard will be two of Britain’s triumphant Paralympic Games Team. Sasha Kindred won two gold medals in the swimming pool and was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours; he will be joined by Nyree Lewis who won a swimming silver medal. Their success is to be marked by the Stonemasons under the Cathedral Sponsor-a-Stone scheme, which raises vital funds for the Cathedral.
“We are all very proud of our local Paralympians, both during the Paralympics itself and then again when Sascha was in the New Year’s Honours. Dedicating a stone to them in their home county seemed the natural thing to do,” added the Dean. “We hope it will encourage others to sponsor a stone too!”
HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will join 150 guests at a special reception on Friday 30th January to celebrate the formal start of work, of the multi-million pound restoration of the Close of Hereford Cathedral. The Prince will meet Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, who is making her first visit to Hereford. The HLF have awarded a grant of just over £4 million to the Close Project.
The Close Project will last up to three years and will include the re-laying of the collapsed drainage system and the upgrade of paths; the defining of boundaries and entrances to delineate the Close as a sacred space separate from the streetscape; improving lighting of the paths and building to extend the use of the space at the end of the day.
Notes to Editors - See below
Contacts
1. Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust: Glyn Morgan 01432 374261; 07771 520287; glyn.morgan@herefordcathedral.org
2. Anni Holden , Director of Communications, Diocese of Hereford, 01432 373342 mob: 07889 186316 a.holden@hereford.anglican.org (press contact on day of visit)
Images available as jpegs on request:
1. Close: aerial depiction of the restored Close
2. Close: landscape drawing of the restored Close
3. Stonemason and carving
4. Contact ParalympianGB Press Officer Siân Davies, 0207 211 5240 sian.davies@paralympics.org.uk for pictures of Sascha and Nyree
5. Additional images: additional images can be obtained from the Perpetual Trust
The Close project:
The project will incorporate the following:
- The installation of a new drainage system and ducting for electrical and other services.
- Realignment and surfacing of the paths and entrances including the creation of appropriate entrances to the Booth Porch (north door) and at the West End.
- Introduction of pieces of artwork including a timeline, design in the west end pavement and a new feature for the Lady Arbour garden.
- Creation of a new cloister garden in the Lady Arbour.
- Defining the boundaries and entrance points of the Close with railings and gate piers (but no gates).
- Restoration of the Cathedral Barn (phase one), believe to be the second oldest secular building in Hereford.
- Creation of a new masons’ yard using green oak.
- Pollarding and management of trees in the Close including the planting of a number of new trees.
- Ambient lighting of the Close and architectural lighting of the cathedral.
- Management of vehicular movements within the Close.
- An extensive learning plan, Close Connections, which will engage with the general public about the historical importance of the Close and the restoration.
HRH The Prince of Wales
- HRH has supported the Trust since its founding and became Patron in February 2004.
- The Prince has hosted a number of events for the Trust at Highgrove House and St James’s Palace including a concert in Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal and a dinner in the State Apartments in December 2005.
- The Prince of Wales last visited Hereford Cathedral to attend a musical picnic staged in the Close in 1999.
- www.princeofwales.gov.uk
Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 28,000 projects, allocating over £4.2billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk.
HEREFORD CATHEDRAL PERPETUAL TRUST
Patron: His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
Chairman: Robert Rogers Registered Office
Secretary: Glyn Morgan 5 College Cloisters
perpetual.trust@herefordcathedral.org Cathedral Close
www.herefordcathedral.org HEREFORD HR1 2NG
Tel 01432 374261
Fax 01432 374242
Vice-Presidents
The Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire The Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire
Lady Bengough Sir Thomas Dunne KG KCVO Tom Davies James Nicholas
Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales No 1051168
A Private Limited Company No 3123592
HEREFORD CATHEDRAL PERPETUAL TRUST
Patron: His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
Chairman: Robert Rogers Registered Office
Secretary: Glyn Morgan 5 College Cloisters
perpetual.trust@herefordcathedral.org Cathedral Close
www.herefordcathedral.org HEREFORD HR1 2NG
Tel 01432 374261
Fax 01432 374242
Vice-Presidents
The Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire The Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire
Lady Bengough Tom Davies Sir Thomas Dunne KG KCVO James Nicholas
Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales No 1051168
A Private Limited Company No 3123592