Latest news with #WellsCathedral
BBC News
14-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wells Cathedral major renovation work begins
Scaffolding has gone up at Wells Cathedral as major restoration work due to last over the summer began in April and will end in September, with repairs to stonework and cleaning of pigeon mess among the projects being undertaken at the Grade I-listed Cathedral said pollutants from the Industrial Revolution had damaged the West Front of the building, and subsequent cleaning may have removed some of the will begin by removing any dry dirt, followed by wet washing and the application of biocide, before recording and drawing the stone elements which need repairs. The contractors will clean and remove plant growth and pigeon mess, repair and replace the stone niches, apply lime mortars to some of the scupltures and apply a shelter coat to enhance the appearance of the Johnson, strategic projects director at Wells Cathedral, said: "The stone has deteriorated due to centuries of weathering, biological growth, and historic air pollution."This phase of work is about carefully assessing each area and providing long-term protection without damaging what remains."
Powys County Times
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Wool art exhibition celebrating VE Day unveiled in Wales
A wool art exhibition celebrating VE Day was unveiled for the first time in Llanelwedd last weekend. The Britain at War exhibition – The Longest Yarn 2 – was displayed at Wonderwool Wales, the premier wool and natural fibre festival in Wales, held at the Royal Welsh Showground. The exhibition consisted of nine panels at its launch, but will grow to 80 as extra panels are added during a tour of the UK over the coming months. The first nine panels include VE Day, Buckingham Palace, The Lorry on the Strand, The Street Party, The Conga at The Ritz with Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, War is Declared, Coventry Cathedral is Bombed, Windows Taped up, The Few – Spitfire pilots with their dogs, and Lumber Jills. Founder Tansy Forster and her fellow knitters and crocheters are creating a new installation following the success of The Longest Yarn – an 80-metre, 3D wool art depiction of the D-Day landings in France on June 6, 1944 – which toured the UK last year and is now touring America. More than 1,000 knitters and crocheters from around the world contributed to the first project, which grew from Tansy's original idea of creating a display for a garden wall at her home in Normandy. Event director Chrissie Menzies said: "We were thrilled that Tansy and her group of fellow knitters produced the fantastic VE Day exhibition to be premiered at Wonderwool Wales. "The exhibition attracted huge interest and so many positive comments over the weekend and I am certain it will meet with the same response as it tours the UK." The Britain at War exhibition will be at Wells Cathedral until May 10, before moving to Gosport from May 12 to June 4, Plymouth from June 5 to 29, a venue to be confirmed from June 30 to July 21, Brecon from July 22 to 31, and Chiltern Open Air Museum from August 1 to 31. By September 3, at Southwell Minster, all 80 panels will be on display. The exhibition then moves to Stoke on Trent Minster in October, Sherborne Abbey in November and Leek in December. In 2026, the tour continues to Kilkeel, Northern Ireland in January, Enniskillen in February, Penrith in March, Belfast in April, Lichfield Cathedral in May, Peterborough Cathedral in June, Nothe Fort in Weymouth in July, Gosport in August, Welshpool in September, Wrexham in October and Chorley in November. Ms Forster, said: "Due to the positive reception and success we have experienced with the Longest Yarn, we are excited to further develop our initiatives to ensure these significant commemorations continue to be recognised. "Britain at War examines how Britain navigated the war from September 3, 1939 to VE Day on May 8, 1945. "Visitors to Wonderwool Wales were the first to see the start of 80-panel work we are currently working on. "When I first had my lightbulb moment, I really had no idea that it would lead to this incredible rollercoaster that I've been on for almost two years. "250,000 people have visited the first exhibition and raised the same in monetary terms." She explained that she hopes to double the £250,000 raised so far to help establish a halfway house for British veterans, while also supporting dog charities that assist people with disabilities and medical conditions. Ms Forster is also hopeful that The Longest Yarn will raise enough money in the USA to establish a halfway house for American veterans.
BBC News
19-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New VAT cap puts Wells Cathedral in 'unachievable' position
A new cap on the amount of VAT listed places of worship can claim on repairs makes an "incredible challenging" situation feel "almost unachievable", a cathedral boss has now and the end of March 2026, cathedrals and other places of worship which are listed will only be able to claim up to £25,000 VAT per Watts, chief operating officer of Wells Cathedral, told the BBC the change would add £8m to planned repair costs over the next 10 years."They [the buildings] have extensive repair needs, and they're a key part of our nation's heritage that we want to hand on to future generations", she said. According to government data, 94% of claims should be unaffected by the Ms Watts said the cap will make a "really big difference". Ms Watts said: "Historic buildings like these and historic churches are very expensive to maintain and look after."We don't want to lose them. So not having to pay VAT, saving that 20%, has been significant."The cathedral is looking to fully repair its lead roofs which were constructed more than 100 years ago, a project which Ms Watts said will need "a lot of money".Tessa Munt, MP for Wells and Mendip Hills, said she supports the schemes extension to March 2026 but added she is "worried" about the cost the cap could bring to places of worship."The daily cost of running the cathedral is absolutely staggering, but these are very beautiful places," she told the BBC."Taking the VAT out of the bill by allowing people to claim that would be very significant, it's going to mean a lot in some of our cathedrals in the country."She wants the government to give "leniency" at the end of March 2026 to allow people who have completed the works to be able to claim the VAT after that date. A spokesperson for the department for culture, media and sport said: "Listed places of worship provide a range of services to the public regardless of faith or background. "Many of them are architecturally and historically significant."This is why the government has extended the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme until 31March 2026. "It will continue to enable religious organisations to claim grants covering eligible VAT costs paid towards repairs and renovations."It is unclear what will happen to the scheme beyond March 2026.
