Two years after it was ravaged by Storm Arwen, Worcester Cathedral marked the end of repair work at a ‘topping out' ceremony yesterday (Monday, November 27).

The installation of a new pinnacle on the cathedral, crafted by an adept team of stonemasons is the final addition following a series of repair works.

On November 27, 2021, the northeastern pinnacle of the cathedral was blown away by Storm Arwen.

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The stone plummeted through the roof of the North Quire Aisle, causing damage to the 14th-century vaulted ceiling beneath.

Throughout 2022, the roof and vaulting were repaired with the aid of scaffolding, and throughout 2023, stonemasons have been producing a new replacement pinnacle.

The traditional ‘topping out' ceremony, involving the placement of the final stone and a blessing of the work by the Dean, was the last in a series of renovations both within the structure and externally.

The interim Dean of Worcester, the Reverend Canon Dr Stephen Edwards said: "Today's ceremony was a wonderful and fitting way for us to mark the completion of the repair work following Storm Arwen exactly two years ago.

"The Cathedral is a large and complex entity and as such it has been a lengthy process with various repairs taking place to the ceiling, the external roof, the organ, and now finally the replacement pinnacle is now proudly in place on the tower."

The freshly placed north-facing pinnacle features a unicorn and a lion's head by leading stonemason Neil Berry, and a dragon's head by master mason Darren Steele, which symbolise the Royal Beasts and the year of the Coronation, respectively.

Figures from the Archbishops’ Appointments Office and the Ecclesiastical Secretary to the Crown were among those invited by Canon Edwards to witness the event, which took place 175 feet in the air on the scaffolding.

"The new pinnacle with its superb carvings and design is a testament to the skill and excellence of our Stone Mason team, and to them, and all our professional advisers we express our appreciation for their dedication and hard work.

"It is wonderful to see the pinnacle in place after two long years of continual repair works," Canon Edwards said.