Heritage Treasures

Tomorrow (Tuesday) we’re joining The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s initiative to celebrate our heritage treasures.

Heritage Treasures – #HeritageTreasures 11th January 2022

It’s been a tough year again and we want to say a big thank you to everyone at our cathedrals – our clergy, our staff and our volunteers – who strived so hard to keep things going, to welcome our visitors, to tell our stories, who took their events and services online when they needed to, often at very short notice. Thank you – you kept us all uplifted during the coronavirus pandemic.

Our cathedrals became vaccine centres, some even played music for patients while they waited for their jabs.

They lit candles for every life lost to the pandemic on the anniversary of the first national lockdown, they were at the heart of prayers and thanksgiving to mark the passing of HRH Prince Philip, they welcomed thousands of cyclists taking part in the first Cathedrals Cycle Route relay in the summer, they rang their bells to mark the start of COP26, they created and hosted a range of creative, reflective memorials to the pandemic including Ripon’s Wing and a Prayer, artist Layne Rowe’s Solace, and Peter Walker’s Leaves of the Trees. They invited visitors to marvel at Luke Jerram’s Gaia, or the Museum of the Moon, at Luxmuralis’ Peace Doves and Space … and then there was Dippy.

All this and so much more.

Ros Kerslake, the Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

“2021 has been a particularly tough year for the heritage sector. It’s been incredible to see the many creative ways the sector has responded to the pandemic.

“That’s why we’re taking this opportunity to shine a spotlight on those who have shown resilience and innovation during what has been a challenging time.”

She is inviting people to share their chosen heritage treasures on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook

We have 42 #HeritageTreasures to share.

Thank you to all our cathedrals, our clergy, our staff, our volunteers and you – our visitors – for your support.