The Hamish Ogston Foundation has announced the latest round of funding to support heritage craft training through the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship.
….£2.3million in funding over a three-year-period…
The Hamish Ogden Foundation writes:
The Foundation is awarding £2.3million in funding over a three-year-period in this latest round, which is part of a five-year £3.5million commitment to help expand heritage craft training and maintain the flow of skilled craftspeople at English cathedrals.
The grant will fund the employment and training of a total of twenty-nine stonemasons, carpenters and joiners and one electrician across the ten CWF cathedrals over the three years. Trainees will have the unique opportunity to learn their craft from the very best heritage professionals in cathedrals across the country, all whilst helping to conserve and maintain these magnificent buildings.
Emergency funding provided by the Hamish Ogston Foundation in January 2021 helped the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship to survive the pressures of the pandemic. This latest round of funding will enable the programme to grow and will be essential in securing the future of historic cathedrals across the United Kingdom for the enjoyment of generations to come.
Robert Bargery, Heritage Director at The Hamish Ogston Foundation: “We are delighted to continue working with CWF to help ensure that England’s finest buildings are properly conserved for future generations. Our cathedrals may look immortal, but they require constant care and that can only be delivered if we maintain a flow of people with the necessary craft skills.”
Frances Cambrook, CWF Executive Director: “The funding and support we have received from the Hamish Ogston Foundation over the last two years has enabled our cathedral craft training scheme to withstand the shock of the pandemic. With this new round of funding from the Hamish Ogston Foundation cathedrals will be able to plan ahead and recruit new craftspeople for at least the next three years. We are incredibly grateful for this support from the Hamish Ogston Foundation and the opportunity it gives our cathedrals to continue to develop the specialist craft and conservation skills they need.”
Jordan Cliffe, Foundation degree student at Canterbury Cathedral: “The best part of the CWF degree programme is visiting different cathedrals and experiencing how differently the workshops operate. This helps to apply new techniques to our own workplace. This experience is only available to me due to the funding opportunities provided by the Hamish Ogston Foundation.”
