The location of the clerestory shafts

 

During 2017 and early 2018 the Nave, Choir and West Front of the cathedral will be undergoing a programme of repair work, funded by the Welsh Government’s Historic Environment Agency, Cadw, and the Friends of Llandaff Cathedral.

The cathedral roofless during the war

Background to the Project

The Bathstone ‘detached’ shafts at clerestory level are splitting due to internal corrosion of iron cramps used in the re-construction of 1859 to tie the shafts to the surrounding stonework.

When iron corrodes it expands considerably, with enough force to split stone. It is likely that moisture got into the stone following the bomb damage in 1941 (when the clerestory was left exposed to the elements until the current roof was installed in 1953), and this moisture has accelerated corrosion of the iron.
Each of the 84 Nave and 12 West Front internal detached shafts will be carefully dismantled to remove the embedded ironwork and repair the stonework. New stainless steel cramps and dowels will be inserted, and the shaft stones will be repaired and reinstated in their original positions. The surrounding stonework will have a light clean to remove the worst excesses of carbon encrustation.

Repair methodology

The effect of corroding iron cramps on the stonework

 
The dowel hole and cramp inside a shaft
Ancillary Work

The cost of scaffolding the entire Nave and Choir is considerable, and it will make sense to do as much work as possible while the scaffold is in place.

The clerestory windows will be repaired and cleaned as part of the project. The leaded windows are secured to horizontal iron tie bars. During the 1950s restoration the tie bars were attached to brass spigots which were embedded into notches in the reveals of the windows with hard mortar. Most of these fixing spigots are now loose. This causes the windows to rattle with wind pressure and even when the organ is played, which in turn leads to cracking of the glass.

Stainless steel angle sections will be installed to hold the existing brass spigots against the stone reveals, to avoid dismantling the windows (a very expensive process). The brackets will be toned-down to make them less noticeable – the recipe involves a mixture of gold size, pure turpentine and burnt umber pigment. The plain glazing also needs a thorough clean inside and out, and this will be done carefully with cotton swabs.

Spalling window stonework around glazing tie bars

A prototype of the glazing bracket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 1953 hardwood ceiling is stained in places from past roof leaks, and these stains will be also removed in areas that can be accessed. Render will also be repaired and re-decorated.

Training Initiative

The project includes a training programme of five three-week training blocks for trainees who are considering a career in building conservation.

The Programme

Scaffolds will be erected in phases between June and November 2017 and from January to April 2018, with breaks for key events and festivals in the cathedral. The work will mean some disruption to visitor access and services at times, and this will be communicated to visitors and the local community throughout the project.

The Rainbow Fair has been a part of the Patronal Festival at Llandaff Cathedral for many years, taking place on the Green in the heart of Llandaff village. Organised by the Llandaff Cathedral Social Committee, it is run along traditional lines, inviting community and church groups to participate by hosting a stall, game or activity.  All the proceeds go to local organisations or charities. The traditional activities always prove popular, from the coconut shy  and “Splat the Rat” to face painting, a tombola, donkey rides organised by the Llandaff Society, a variety of refreshments, a licenced summer drinks stall and, this year, a fancy dress competition for the “Best Dressed Owner and Dog”. To register for this novelty dog show please contact Sue Valenton on 07804 640152.

The Fair is also a place to showcase the talents of our local children. Pupils from the four local primary schools and Sunday School are invited to take place in a poster competition to advertise the event and prizes awarded for the most original and colourful entries. One of the highlights of the evening is a display by the members of the Llandaff City C/W Primary School folk dancing group and in recent years, we have been very fortunate to have the support of the Caledonian Scottish Dancers who get us all up and dancing, accompanied by Simon and Sarah, two members of the ceilidh band Uisge ContraBand.

This year, the Rainbow Fair takes place from 6:00 to 8:00pm on Friday 30th June. So please come along and join the fun.

The music department of Llandaff Cathedral is excited to announce three Wednesday evening concerts during the summer months of 2017. Two recitals will be given on the 2010/2013 Nicholson Organ in May and June, and in July Llandaff Cathedral Choir will give a concert of choral music.

Stephen Moore, who took up the post of Director of Music here in September 2016, kicks off the series on Wednesday 17 May with an organ recital. Stephen says, “It has been great getting to know the fantastic organ here at the cathedral since I arrived to take up my post. It’s a wonderful instrument – so full of colour – and I hope to be able to show it off to its best advantage in my recital.” Stephen will perform music by Elgar, Bach, Peeters and Vierne.

On Wednesday 7 June we will welcome Simon Bell, Director, Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum of Dean Close Preparatory School. Simon’s career has seen him take up prestigious appointments at Westminster Abbey, Southwell Minster and as Assistant Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral before assuming his present position at Dean Close School and Tewkesbury Abbey. Simon has twice been a semi-finalist in the St Albans International Organ Competition, and won the coveted Limpus Prize in the FRCO diploma examination.

Admission to the two organ recitals on 17 May and 7 June will be free with a retiring collection.

On Wednesday 12 July Llandaff Cathedral Choir will give a concert of choral favourites, including music from throughout the liturgical year. Refreshments with a summer slant will be served at the conclusion of the concert by the Llandaff Cathedral Choir Association. This event will also mark the end of the first full year for the choir under the direction of Stephen Moore, and will be wonderful celebration of the strength of the music department going forward. Accompanying the choir at the Nicholson organ will be David Thomas.

Tickets for the Cathedral Choir concert on 12 July will be priced at £10, £8 (concessions) and £5. These may be purchased in advance from the beginning of June from the Cathedral Office or on the door on the night.

from Llandaff Cathedral Choir sang at the UEFA Champions League dinner in Cardiff Castle. The boys had the opportunity to perform with internationally renowned soprano Katherine Jenkins and Only Men Aloud to a packed room of UEFA officials, representatives from both Real Madrid and Juventus, politicians and other dignitaries.  

The boys had a long day of rehearsals and sound checks with their fellow artists, performing Amazing Grace with Katherine Jenkins and the UEFA Champions League Anthem with all other performers. They had a brief taste of the ‘celebrity’ lifestyle, emerging from the Castle late at night to a throng of photographers, although their feet were kept firmly grounded with the dressing  room being located in the castle dungeons!

The boys had the opportunity to have their photograph taken with the Champions League Trophy and to meet and work with some fantastic musicians in an atmosphere very different to that of the cathedral!A wonderful time was had by all with the boys flying the flag for the musicianship and professionalism of Cathedral Choristers.

and all those tragically affected by the terror attack there will be firmly in the thoughts and prayers of the Cathedral community here at Llandaff at this sad time.

We pray:

Almighty God, look with compassion on all who have been affected in Manchester’s MEN Arena, on all who now bear the wounds of loss and pain.
May the power of your love bring peace and justice to the innocent, a transformation of conscience for those of wicked intent and harmony between all members of our human family.

Amen.