Future of historic cathedral residence safeguarded with National Lottery funding

The home of a historic choir and one among Europe’s oldest purely residential streets is to receive a share of £7.4m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Vicars’ Close, in Wells, Somerset, dates back 650 years and is home to Wells Cathedral’s Vicars’ Choral.

The historic street lies adjoining to the thirteenth century cathedral and comprises 27 Grade I listed residences inbuilt the early fifteenth century to deal with the adult choir. 

Its future has been in jeopardy because of a backlog of repairs that has left the buildings in poor condition. The close has received £4.4m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund which can now go towards these urgent repairs. 

The Very Rev Toby Wright, Dean of Wells Cathedral, said: “Vicars’ Close is a very remarkable place, possibly without parallel anywhere on the planet.

“We have a responsibility not only to guard the architectural site but additionally to share its extraordinary heritage and enable more people to interact with it.

“We are absolutely thrilled that National Lottery Heritage Fund have made such a generous and significant contribution to assist us achieve that ambition.”

The remainder of the £7.4m award will go towards five places of worship on Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ register.

£579k will go to St Peter’s Church in Forncett, which has a Saxon round tower dating back to the 12 months 1000. The funds might be used to repair damage brought on by the weather and help it adapt to the negative effects of climate change. 

A grant of £587k has been given to the Heart of the Headland project on the twelfth century St Hilda’s Church, in Hartlepool, a part of which might be used to show the church right into a sustainable social hub with a programme of events that engage the community within the region’s heritage. 

The eleventh century Grade I listed St Mary’s Church, in Totnes, is to receive nearly 1,000,000 kilos to stabilise the church constructing and run programmes to support the community. 

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Places of worship, and the buildings related to them, are a few of our oldest and most cherished historic buildings and lots of play a key role as a gateway to our heritage and communities.”

She added, “We are delighted to speculate in these places of worship, ensuring that their heritage might be valued, cared for, and sustained, for everybody, now and in the longer term.”