Cathedral awarded £275k for repairs

Exeter Cathedral has been awarded £275,000 from the final round of the government’s World War One Cathedrals Repairs Fund.

The money will be spent on urgent repairs and conservation of the Cathedral’s East End, which houses the medieval Great East Window.

The window dates back to around 1300 and is thought to have been one of the most ambitious of its day in England.

The glass contained in the window is of national significance, incorporating important examples of early 14th and 15th century craftsmanship.

The government grant will help to pay for the glass to be inspected, recorded and repaired.

The grant will also help with urgent work to repair cracks in the stonework in the East End of the Cathedral.

The government subsidised scheme has provided rare government help in the conservation of the Cathedral, which costs £4,000 a day just to maintain and keep open.

The last major inspection of the Cathedral found it was in need of significant repair work.

The Dean, the Very Revd Jonathan Draper, said: “We are very grateful for this grant, which will help us carry out urgent work to the beautiful East End, particularly the Great East Window."