The forthcoming visit of TRH Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall has been welcomed as a great boost to the city of Hereford and the county of Herefordshire. The Royal couple are set to visit Hereford Cathedral, one of the region's biggest tourist attractions on Friday 30th January.
"The Cathedral already attracts many visitors, tourists and pilgrims to our lovely city and we are sure this visit by The Prince and The Duchess will remind people of what a wonderful place it is," said Robert Rogers, Chairman of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust. "This Royal Visit is a well-deserved compliment to the City and the County"
The Prince, in his capacity as Patron of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, will tour the site with The Duchess, meeting many of those who have been working over the past seven years to develop the project and to secure the funding. Their Royal Highnesses will also have the opportunity to view some of the other projects that the Perpetual Trust has enabled during the past five years of The Prince’s patronage. They will also meet the cathedral choir, who will perform for the Royal couple.
Leading members of Herefordshire Council will also be presented to the Royal visitors on Friday. The leader of Herefordshire Council, Roger Phillips was delighted with the attention a Royal visit would bring to the County. "The council has always worked closely with the trust and the cathedral to secure the funding and the support needed for the protection and restoration of Hereford Cathedral and its environment", said Councillor Phillips. "It is a great pleasure to see that the cathedral will remain an attractive and well cared-for reflection of the faith and strength of the past and future generations of the city".
TRH 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 (HLF), who is making her first visit to Hereford. The HLF have awarded a grant of just over £4 million to the Close Project. She said: "Hereford is one of the UK's most historic cities, and backdrop to the world-famous Mappa Mundi. The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to be supporting this important restoration programme which will revitalise the historic surroundings of this iconic building.”
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 - Please see below
ContactsHereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust: Glyn Morgan 01432 374261; 07771 520287; glyn.morgan@herefordcathedral.org
1. 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. 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.
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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