In October 2020 we announced that the Cathedral had been awarded a grant of £83,840 from the Arts Council England Culture Recovery Fund, to cover the cost of repairs to the War Memorial Chapel Roof and it’s ancillary buildings. The fund forms part of the Government’s £1.57 billion package to support the UK’s culture and heritage sectors from the economic impact of Covid-19.We are now delighted to inform you that this repair work commenced on Monday, 18th January 2021 and is scheduled to be completed by the 31st March.
Please find on this page updates on the work as it progresses
Update 1: 3rd February 2021
Work began on the repairs to the Chapel roof and ancillary buildings on Monday 18th January. Architect in charge of the project Duncan Sanderson reports the following progress so far:
Site establishment complete in the Cathedral House car park.
Scaffold around the WW1 Memorial Chapel complete, including tin sheet protection to the base and temporary roof over.
Slating stripped from the Memorial Chapel roof, and temporary sheeting in place.
DOFF cleaning of paint from the north wall of the Chapel progressing, and also to the stone copings along the head of the lower walls. The paint has had 2 no. passes and proprietary treatment to remove more stubborn areas, and the work should be completed later today , (3rd February).
The raking coping stones have been removed from the head of the Chapel east gable wall.
The rainwater gutters and downpipes have been removed from the Chapel roof.
DOFF cleaning to north wall of Chapel and parapet copings progressing. 
Cleaning progressing, north wall of Chapel: Note little mortar survives 
Pointing remains good to north Annexe wall (top left), but requires renewal to east wall. 
Gable copings removed and south Chapel structural timbers remains reasonably sound 
North roof slope: End rafter adjacent to ceiling framing requires renewal, and 600mm wallplate 
Rooflight in north slope in poor condition, glazing bars rotten. South rooflight is better. 
Chapel window cill needs replaced
Update 2: 26th February 2021
Following on from our first update at the start of the month, work is progressing well on the repairs to the exterior of the chapel and remains on schedule. Please see and update from Architect in charge of the project Duncan Sanderson:
DOFF cleaning of paint from the north (brick) and east (stone) walls of the Chapel, including window tracery, complete.
Cement slurry removed from window tracery and surrounds.
Copings to head of lower annexe walls removed and the wall heads protected pending reinstatement.
Raking coping stones have been removed from the head of the Chapel east gable wall.
Timber remedial works to Chapel roof complete, and joinery progressing to secret gutter bases.
Repointing of Chapel walls progressing well.
Tracery not too badly affected in upper areas, damage to mullions goes back to glass line. 
Minor timber decay around ridge piece of rooflights and boarding to support ridge weathering 
Cement slurry removed from mullions leaves little sound stone, replacement to glass line required 
DOFF cleaned stone copings to lower annexe parapet walls awaiting reinstatement. 
Pointing progressing to east gable stone. 
Approved sample of Fletcher Bank gritstone for masonry repairs. 
Pointing progressing to Chapel north wall brickwork.
