The news comes in the week after the Cathedral's projects received wide national news coverage, when a huge crane lifted a 27 tonne scaffolding frame to protect the Cathedral when the leaking lead roof is removed.
Dame Mary Fagan, Chairman of Winchester Cathedral Trust, said: "This is absolutely wonderful news from the World War One Cathedral Repairs Fund. We are so grateful to everyone who has helped us get this far – the Heritage Lottery Fund, Hampshire County Council, the Friends of Winchester Cathedral and all the many trusts and individuals who have been so generous with their support. We are now able to complete the refurbishment and extension of the Learning Centre and continue with renewed confidence with all the conservation and repair work to the Cathedral which is so desperately needed."
Annabelle Boyes, the Cathedral's Receiver General and Canon Treasurer, and the Project Director for the multi-million pound development is "delighted at the successful outcome of its application to the WW1 Fund, for which the Dean and Chapter applied in January this year. This grant means we are now in a position to make a start on replacing some of the 1935 wiring and lighting circuits in the Lady Chapel and the South Transept, which is desperately needed."
Steve Brine MP said; "This Government has come through time and again for cathedrals but also for our parish churches and last week's Budget showed that once again. This significant grant is a huge vote of confidence in the work of Winchester Cathedral and the whole team there as they keep its work at the heart of our community in commemorating the Great War."
The Very Revd James Atwell, Dean of Winchester, said: "This is remarkable progress. Our fund-raising is driven by making sure the cost of the work, now well underway, does not overtake the fund-raising. This news will encourage all of us working on the Appeal to close the gap that remains. I hope it will inspire many in the community to host small fund-raising events and become part of a moment of history as our own generation secures a regional treasure for the future'.
The Cathedral Appeal is for urgent repairs to the ancient building's roof, windows, high vaults and wiring, for improvements to the educational facilities, especially for children and young people, and for the conservation, improved access and display of the Cathedral's treasures, including the medieval Winchester Bible.
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