Historic Churches 2023

BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON H ISTOR I C CHURCHE S 30th ANNUAL ED ITION 15 of historic buildings, helping to inform the conservation process. Archaeologists play a vital role in uncovering the chronology and significance of these structures, while heritage managers ensure that they are managed in a sustainable and responsible way through collaborative working. In addition to in- house specialists, many cathedrals also work with contractors and consultants who have specialised skills and expertise. For example, a conservation structural engineer may be brought in to provide advice on the best approach to conserving a particular element of the structure. Contractors may also be used for larger projects, such as replacing the roof or restoring a stained-glass window. It is essential to ensure that these contractors and consultants have the necessary skills and experience to work on historic structures and it is important to work with reputable contractors who have a track record of successfully working on similar projects. Another important aspect of developing and maintaining skills for the conservation and maintenance of historic places of worship is research and innovation. This involves exploring new technologies and techniques that can be used to improve the conservation process. For example, 3D scanning and printing can be used to help create accurate replicas of damaged or missing elements of the structure alongside traditional craft methods. The in-house specialist works departments at cathedrals are also responsible for carrying out routine maintenance and repairs on the historic structures. This involves a range of tasks, from inspecting the stonework for cracks and damage to replacing roof tiles and repairing stained-glass windows. They must be able to identify potential issues and address them before they become more serious, ensuring that the building remains safe and secure for future generations. The cost of maintaining and conserving these structures can be high, and many cathedrals rely on public funding and donations to carry out this work. This highlights the importance of educating the public about the significance of these structures and the need to invest in their conservation. Innovation can also involve finding new uses for historic buildings, helping to ensure their long-term sustainability. For example, many churches and cathedrals are now used as concert venues or tourist attractions, generating revenue that can be used to support their conservation and maintenance. Despite the challenges associated with developing and maintaining these skills, many cathedrals and churches are doing an excellent job of caring for their historic structures. Cathedrals, in particular, have a long history of caring for their historic structures. These teams work closely with other professionals such as archaeologists and heritage managers, ensuring that the conservation process is well-informed and sustainable. The permanence of an in-house team is largely unique to English cathedrals today and serves the cathedrals well by passing on knowledge from one craftsperson to the next, retaining corporate and professional skills knowledge. Many cathedrals also offer apprenticeship programmes to train the next generation of construction specialists. These programmes typically last three to five years and provide hands-on training in a variety of skills. Apprentices work alongside experienced craftsmen and learn traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations. The Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship (CWF – www.cwfcathedrals.co.uk ), founded in 2006, is a collaboration between 13 Anglican cathedrals: Canterbury, Chester, Durham, Exeter, Gloucester, Lichfield, Lincoln, Salisbury, St Paul’s, Westminster Abbey, Winchester, Worcester, and York Minster. The master craftsmen and women from these cathedrals wanted to establish a consistent and sustainable approach to developing the specialist skills required to maintain the national treasures under their stewardship. They joined together to design a higher- level training course, initially for their stonemasons but now available to carpenter-joiners, electricians and plumbers. The Foundation degree (Fd) in Applied Historic Building Conservation and Repair is validated by the University of Gloucestershire and since its launch in 2010 has trained 66 craftspeople. Project example before and after at Lincoln Cathedral northeast transept, 2020 Specialist conservation works to Lincoln Cathedral’s west front, 2021