Westminster Abbey becomes latest member of the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship
17th November 2022
A partnership which exists to provide training to the next generation of craftspeople.
This makes the 11th cathedral to join this vital partnership which was founded in 2006 to deliver high-quality, accredited training and education to the next generation of craftspeople so that they have the skills needed to care for our historic buildings for years to come.
A key part of this is the CWF Foundation degree in Applied Historic Building Conservation and Repair, which to date has over 50 graduates.
Paul Baumann CBE, Chapter Clerk and Receiver General of Westminster Abbey, said:
‘At the Abbey we have long been committed to sustaining the highest standards of craftsmanship in maintaining and developing our unique buildings. By joining the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship we are linking to a number of the country’s most significant Cathedrals, who share our belief in the importance of developing and maintaining these essential skills. We look forward to a fruitful partnership and to playing our part in nurturing crafts which are part of our shared inheritance and key to our future.’
Westminster Abbey was built between the 13th and 16th century and is famous for its Gothic façade and spectacular fan vaulting. An onsite Works Department cares for the building on a day-to-day basis and it is planned that a member of this team will join the next cohort on the CWF Foundation degree course. Funded by the Hamish Ogston Foundation, the student will gain vital knowledge surrounding the care and conservation of our historic buildings, under the guidance of leading industry experts.
Frances Cambrook, Executive Director of the CWF, added:
‘We have had an informal association with Westminster Abbey for many years and we are delighted that they have now joined us formally to become our eleventh member. We look forward to welcoming their first student to our Foundation degree course next year, and supporting him to develop his craft skills and conservation expertise for the benefit of this magnificent abbey church.’