Brecon Cathedral Secures Major Funding for Heritage and Community Transformation
Plans to preserve the heritage and buildings of Brecon Cathedral have reached a significant milestone with a substantial grant of £2,041,756 awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This funding, combined with additional grants totalling £745,000, brings the total investment to nearly £2.8 million for the ambitious project titled 'People | Passion | Priory: Brecon Cathedral, The Heart and Soul of Community'. The initiative aims to transform the cathedral into a vibrant destination visitor hub, enhancing its role as a central community asset.
Key Features of the Revamp
The project includes several key enhancements designed to improve accessibility and visitor experience. A new, fully accessible entrance will be created, making the cathedral more welcoming to all. The piazza area will be enhanced to better accommodate visitors, and innovative methods will be introduced to interpret the interior space, ensuring that everyone who enters can engage with the history and culture of the site.
Urgent reroofing work is a critical component of the project, and it will provide an NVQ Level-3 heritage training opportunity for 18 young individuals or those seeking a career change in roofing. This aspect underscores the project's commitment to giving back to the community by offering valuable skills and employment prospects.
Creating a Communal Heart
Reorganising the interior of the cathedral will create a communal space at the heart of the building, designed to host a variety of events such as exhibitions, concerts, plays, and other community gatherings. The history of the cathedral will be presented through innovative storytelling, highlighting famous figures and turbulent episodes from the nation's past, making the space both educational and engaging.
The Very Reverend Dr Paul Shackerley, Dean of Brecon, expressed his delight, stating, "Our home team and consultants are absolutely delighted that our vision for the future of Brecon Cathedral can now be realised thanks to The National Lottery players and our additional funders. Now we can start work, fixing decades of urgent repairs, offering a safe and accessible welcome to all who visit and sharing the excitement we all feel for our history and culture, whilst enhancing our position at the heart of community."
Phased Implementation and Future Impact
Work on the project will be phased, beginning in March 2026 with the opening of a new west entrance. This will be followed by interior reordering and the replacement of the south transept roofs over the summer. Subsequent years will see more roofs replaced, with the project scheduled to conclude in 2028.
Andrew White, director for Wales at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, commented, "Thanks to National Lottery players, this funding will help Brecon Cathedral strengthen its role at the heart of the community, safeguard its heritage and create new ways for people to engage with its story for generations to come."
The project ensures that Brecon Cathedral, with its rich history and outward-facing mission, will be preserved for future generations to enjoy. An ambitious events programme is planned to accompany the work, promising something of interest for every visitor. The Dean encouraged the public to come and see the transformations for themselves, reinforcing the cathedral's commitment to community engagement and heritage preservation.
