Worcester Cathedral repaired a year on from Storm Arwen

The cathedral was battered by 100mph winds when Storm Arwen hit Worcester last year.

Arwen caused extensive damage to the cathedral when part of a pinnacle from the tower fell through the roof.

Saturday, November 26, marks one year since the storm hit Worcester and repair works are now nearing completion.

The Dean of Worcester, the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, said: “Scores of experts have been working hard over the past 12 months to repair the damage caused by Storm Arwen in November 2021.

“And we are very happy to report that that work is now nearing completion.”

The roof and vaulting had to be repaired (Image: Worcester Cathedral)

Since the storm, scaffolding has been erected at various points, both inside and outside.

Repairs have taken place on the roof and vaulting, which were damaged by the fallen masonry, and more than 2,000 pipes have been removed, cleaned and restored in the quire organ.

Adjustments had to be made in order to keep the Cathedral open during the lengthy period of repair.

READ MORE: Cathedral re-opens after suffering extensive damage in Storm Arwen

Dean Atkinson added: “It has been a lengthy process and we are extremely grateful to everyone involved in repairing the Cathedral."

"First and foremost, work was carried out to ensure the safety of the building, so that we could reopen and continue to use the Cathedral, albeit in a slightly restricted way.

“Those of you that have visited recently will have seen the scaffolding in the quire, which remained in situ until all of the organ pipes were reinstated.

"And you may also have heard the organ being re-tuned over the past couple of weeks; I know I have."

This year's Advent Service will go ahead as planned (Image: Worcester Cathedral)

The centrepiece of the repair works is the new pinnacle, crafted by the Cathedral’s own team of stonemasons, which will be installed next year.

The pinnacle will commemorate both the Late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023.

It incorporates all of the home nations, with a lion for England, a unicorn for Scotland, a dragon for Wales, and shamrocks for Northern Ireland.

Storm Arwen hit just two days before the start of Advent.

These repairs mean that this year’s Advent Service, on Sunday (November 27) will go ahead as usual.

“It is with great pleasure that we are able to return to the quire for the Sunday morning eucharist on Advent Sunday and to have the Cathedral and quire organ back in action in time for Christmas,” added the Dean.

“The work on the new pinnacle shows the skill and craftsmanship of our talented team of stonemasons, and we greatly look forward to it being completed and installed in 2023, to commemorate the Coronation year.”