The cathedral's campaign to save the close has received a 4.4m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and 1.9m from other donors. However, the campaign still needs almost 800,000 to complete the 7m project, with construction projected to start in the summer and last four years.
Matthew Minter, a choir singer, describes his home in the close as a privilege due to its unique character but notes that the house is cold with leaking windows. He emphasizes the urgency of restoration.
Toby Wright, the dean of Wells Cathedral, warns that if the houses are not maintained properly, the singers may have to relocate. He stressed, 'If we don't look after this treasure, we're going to lose it.'
Wright adds that the significance of Vicars' Close is rooted in the continuous presence of choir members through the centuries, affirming its original purpose and distinctive character.
Collection
[
|
...
]