Project Director's Updates

Work has begun on installing the external stonework to face the reinforced concrete frame of the new Heritage & Learning Centre (HLC) extension.

The stone being used is a durable light Northumberland Buff sandstone, which is similar in texture and tone to the Arden sandstone on the south façade of the Cathedral. Arden stone is no longer available and is of poor quality.

All the stone is cut to size and numbered before coming to site and will be built up layer by layer over the coming weeks.

The external stone face will have a 'veil' of moulded glazed terracotta fins. The terracotta (high fired stoneware) will have a slightly textured finish, and a semi-reflective splatter glaze of finely-mottled earthy dark green hue.

The final photograph shows the sample panel of external materials – the Northumberland Buff sandstone, terracotta fins (with small LED feature lights located towards the top of each fin) and copper alloy standing seam roof cladding that will patinate dark brown over time.

Simon Bentley
Project Director
simon.bentley@leicestercofe.org

Recent progress on the Heritage & Learning Centre extension includes roof steels and carpentry for the low-level roof section connecting the new building to the existing Cathedral.

Internal partitioning is underway along with mechanical and electrical work.

Inside the Cathedral the floor to St George's Chapel has been professional cleaned and looks all the better for it – particularly the fine mosaic section depicting the emblem of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.

Repairs are being made to the memorial book cabinets within the Chapel and the memorial books will be back on display very shortly.

Simon Bentley
Project Director
simon.bentley@leicestercofe.org

Further work has been undertaken to complete the new floor in St Dunstan's Chapel using historic ledger stones discovered in 2014 during re-ordering of the Chancel in readiness for the reinterment of Richard III.

These ledger stones, fashioned from slate and green Purbeck marble and dating from 1698 to 1802, commemorate local people in characterful lettering that ranges from crude to fine. The stones have been selected for their aesthetic appearance and historic significance and were laid during late autumn 2023.

The lime screed then had to be allowed to fully dry and cure before the slate infills could be laid to finish the new floor.

This is not only an important physical conservation project for the Cathedral but also provides and a wonderful visual restoration opportunity – providing a link to the past of Leicester, its people and craftsmanship.

Work has also been carried out to modify the bottom section of the historic north door to allow for new floor levels.

Please see a link below for recent video footage from the time lapse cameras outside the Cathedral showing erection of the covered scaffolding to protect the structure of the Heritage & Learning Centre and avoid any weather delays.

https://vimeo.com/910025505/837a8e4cf6?share=copy

Simon Bentley
Project Director
simon.bentley@leicestercofe.org

The completed reinforced concreated frame has been fully enclosed with a covered scaffold to protect the structure and avoid any weather delays.

The roof steels are in position and roof carpentry is underway. Windows are being installed and stonework repaired and restored to the Sacristy wall damaged during demolition and where it needs to interface with the new building.

In the basement areas mechanical and electrical first fix has started.

Simon Bentley
Project Director for Leicester Cathedral Revealed
simon.bentley@leicestercofe.org

With repair and restoration work to the Cathedral largely complete, the main focus now is on completing construction of the new Heritage & Learning Centre. This will be a striking extension to the Cathedral that will open in late summer 2024, providing an exhibition gallery, a flexible learning space for school children and community groups, and WCs.

The reinforced concreated frame is finished and being enclosed with a covered scaffold so that roof and external façade work can get underway and not be delayed by inclement weather conditions.
Local film maker Alex Wright has been engaged to make four short films on different elements of the building work for Leicester Cathedral Revealed.

This short film visualises how the new Heritage & Learning Centre will look from the outside.
The video can be watched here.

Simon Bentley
Project Director
simon.bentley@leicestercofe.org

In February 2023, Professor Alice Roberts and the Digging for Britain team visited the Leicester Cathedral Revealed project to film the archaeological excavations underway (for constructing the basement of our new Heritage & Learning Centre) and to learn about some of the initial finds and discoveries.

The Digging for Britain episode featuring Leicester Cathedral Revealed was broadcast on BBC2 on Wednesday 2 January at 8.00pm and is available on iPlayer – see link.

(LCR features from 49 minutes into the programme.)

Simon Bentley
Project Director for Leicester Cathedral Revealed
simon.bentley@leicestercofe.org