CATHERDRAL chiefs are celebrating after the Worcester landmark scooped a £200,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation.
The money will go towards the restoration and interpretation of College Yard. It will see improvements to the main north entrance to the Cathedral, transforming it into a more welcoming green square.
Work began in earnest this week with tree management plans in action and archaeological work set to start in the coming weeks.
The landmark Cathedral has been at the heart of life in Worcester since its foundation in the 10th Century.
College Yard is blessed with significant monuments and trees. However has been plagued with car parking misuse and is need of a face lift.
This latest grant will assist the Cathedral in achieving its vision of providing an attractive green space, better entrance points and gateways, improved signage and wayfinding, and providing a safe and welcoming place for its visitors.
The plan is to improve accessibility, encourage active travel and reduce on-site parking, improve biodiversity, surface water management, lighting, interpretation and opportunities for learning.
Matthew Hall, chief operating officer at Worcester Cathedral, said:
“On behalf of the Dean and Chapter of Worcester Cathedral, I would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the Wolfson Foundation for supporting this project.
“The landscaping work on College Yard represents a significant milestone for the Cathedral, as it constitutes the realisation of the first phase of the Cathedral’s landscape masterplan.
“It also represents the development of a significant partnership with the City of Worcester that will improve the links between the Cathedral and the City and encourage more people to enjoy, and engage with, the amazing heritage that we have to offer.“
Part of a bigger vision to improve the wider Cathedral precincts, work will continue throughout 2024 and beyond.
For more visit www.worcestercathedral.org.uk
