Restoration work at Chester Cathedral has been adorned with images of remembrance honouring those who fought in the Great War.
The seat of the Bishop of Chester since the 16th century, the city centre house of worship is clad with scaffolding for essential repair works to be carried out.
Scenes from the First World War now span the cathedral’s Regimental Garden showing scenes of war, soldiers and their families and Remembrance Day poppies.
The powerful images can be seen from St Werburgh Street and are a public tribute in preparation for Armistice Day, November 11.
Grant
Chester Cathedral is one of 31 English cathedrals awarded a grant as part of the £8.3 million First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund, which funds work such as roof repairs and structural projects. The cathedral is using its share of the funding to employ a local conservation and stonemason contractor to work on the building’s exterior stone pinnacles. The project includes re-pointing and re-setting the pinnacles while clearing away vegetation.
The Remembrance design was undertaken by Jules Norman from Chester based creative agency, Leftfield Works.
He said: “The cathedral decided to use the space creatively to pay tribute to those affected by the Great War. With Remembrance Day so close it seems appropriate that the cathedral attempts to bring the community together with an issue so central to everyone’s lives. The location of the fencing links the commemorative images with the Regimental Garden and creates a perfect backdrop to the memorial.”
Vice Dean Canon Peter Howell-Jones said: “Chester Cathedral is most grateful to have been awarded this grant from the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund. As we are a free-to-enter cathedral, we must rely on donations and this means that restoration projects on a grand scale are rarely achievable. With the help from this grant necessary repair works are finally being carried out.”
Chester Cathedral will hold a Remembrance Service on Sunday, November 8, 10-11am and an Act of Remembrance on Wednesday, November 11 10.45am – 11.15am in the Jubilee Garden.
