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[08 JUN 99] COVENTRY CITY COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE
Coventry Inspires Church To Former Glory

The placing of a 3-foot copper and gold weather vane at the top of Christchurch Spire marks the completion of a project to restore one of Coventry’s three famous spires to its former glory.

The restoration project for the 14th Century Grey Friars Spire, will help safeguard it’s future for the next 100 years. The top 30 feet of the 211 feet Spire in New Union Street has been removed and replaced, a skilful process involving the removal of steelwork, replacing stonework, and installation of the new weather vane.

The heritage Lottery Fund and Coventry City Council have jointly financed the £270,000 restoration work.

Councillor Bob Waugh, Co-ordinator of the City Council’s Economic Affairs Policy Co-ordinating Committee said:

"The completion of their work is further step towards the transformation of the three historic Spires and demonstrates the commitment of the City Council and its partners to enhance the valuable heritage of our city."

Councillor Waugh added,

"The next stage is to complete the lighting projects for the three Spires which will be truly spectacular. I believe Coventry people will be inspired and justly proud of its heritage."

The restoration work was carried out for the City Council by Church Conservation Ltd, under the direction of specialist Architects, The Brown Matthews Partnership based in Warwick.

Mark King, an architect based with the Brown Matthews Partnership, said:

"We are pleased to have been associated with such a prestigious project and one that it is very important to the city.

"The restored Spire will ensure that future generations will be able to appreciate it in its original form for some considerable time."

Christchurch Spire – Facts

  • The Spire is 211 feet high
  • The tower is the oldest but smaller of the three famous Spires
  • Originally the Spire of the 14th Century Church of he Greyfriars or Franciscans, and built in 1352.
  • In 1830-32 a new church. Christ Church, was added by Rickman and Hutchinson.
  • This church was gutted by an air raid in 1941, leaving only the outer walls standing.
  • The outer walls were pulled down in 1950, but the Spire remains.
  • The restoration work started in January 1999.

Lighting Strategy

  • As part of the City Council’s lighting strategy, Coventry’s famous three spires plus three modern buildings (Coventry Point, Mercia House & Hillman House) will be individually lit to show each building in a new light and detail.
  • International lighting designers, Speirs & Major, are working on designs for the lighting strategy ready for the new year.

Holy Trinity Spire

  • Restoration work is also currently underway on the Holy Trinity Spire, which will be on the three Spires involved in the lighting strategy.
          
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Arts Alive - 29 May to 3 July 1999

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CWN / Politics / Coventry City Council / 8 Jun 99

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