A national scheme to conserve and repair England’s cathedrals from which Hereford cathedral was awarded £920,000 has significantly reduced immediate risks, a report has said.

The £40 million First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund, launched by the Government in 2014, invited applications from Catholic and Church of England cathedrals to address urgent repair works. The fund prioritised making buildings weatherproof, safe and open to the public as well as ensuring they would be in a safe condition to host acts of remembrance for the centenary of the First World War armistice in 2018.

Hereford Cathedral received a total of £920,000 which enabled the cathedral to make essential repairs to the roof including the replacement of lead work, making the building more secure and preventing further damage caused by rainwater. The fund also meant that the cathedral was able to repair the obsolete sound system, including the installation of a new hearing loop, improving the experience of many who partake in worship at the cathedral particularly when in large numbers. This will be of a huge benefit to congregation during the upcoming First World War commemorations.

England’s cathedrals contribute more than £220m to the economy each year, drawing in more than 11 million visitors. Each cathedral has the responsibility for raising the funds required for upkeep. However, with no regular Government funding, each cathedral faces an ongoing challenge to maintain their fabric while ensuring comfort, safety and accessibility for all.

Hereford Cathedral has already seen a huge increase in visitor numbers this year with over 196,000 people visiting Poppies: The Weeping Window during the six weeks it was on display in the spring. The sculpture came to Hereford Cathedral as part of 14–18 NOW’s UK-wide tour of the iconic poppy sculptures Wave and Weeping Window, which have been seen by over 3.75 million people to date.

There will be a special service on Remembrance Sunday to mark the centenary and in the week leading up to the 11 November, the names of the fallen from Herefordshire will be read in the cathedral. As in previous years, the tower of the cathedral will also be specially lit in red as a mark of remembrance.

The Dean of Hereford, The Very Revd Michael Tavinor, said: “One of the most creative parts of the commemoration of the First World War has been an understanding that it’s not only about the past – important as that is. We have to look back, to remember the sacrifices made - but we also have to look forward. The setting up of the WW1 Cathedrals Fund was an inspired way of using the commemoration to plan for the future.

“Our cathedrals play a vital part in the civic and national life of our country and to link these great buildings with equipping them for the future through the WW1 fund has been both visionary and supremely practical.

“At Hereford, we are hugely grateful for the support we’ve received for our north aisle repairs and for our sound system.  Without this support, it is unlikely that either of these projects would have come to fruition. We pray that, by helping to make our cathedrals ‘fit for purpose, for the future’ we are helping them serve their purpose as places where truth and justice and peace can be nurtured and celebrated.”

Jesse Norman, MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire, said: “I am delighted that the government has been able to support our cathedrals in this way. Cathedrals are a hugely valued part of our national heritage and Hereford Cathedral, in particular, has a special place in the hearts of those who live in this county and city. By supporting this initiative the Government has, I believe, enabled not only vital repair work, but also exciting and innovative developments for the future.”