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900-year-old Nottinghamshire cathedral where rain falls on worshippers could become the first in Church of England history to close

Southwell Minster, where a single tree removal this week cost the cash-strapped cathedral almost £20,000.
Southwell Minster, where a single tree removal this week cost the cash-strapped cathedral almost £20,000.
Southwell Minster, whose world-famous 13th-century Leaves of Southwell stone carvings now face direct risk of water damage as the cathedral's funds are forecast to run out by 2027.
Southwell Minster, whose world-famous 13th-century Leaves of Southwell stone carvings now face direct risk of water damage as the cathedral's funds are forecast to run out by 2027.

Southwell Minster's dean, the Very Rev Dr Stephen Evans, has warned that the 900-year-old Nottinghamshire cathedral will exhaust its funds by 2027 unless an emergency rescue plan is put in place. Accounts for 2023-24 were submitted 156 days late, and no accounts for 2024-25 have been filed at all. Evans did not grasp the full extent of the crisis until he assumed the deanship in April.

Rain is now leaking onto worshippers during services, and most of the cathedral's lighting has been disconnected on safety grounds.

The world-famous Leaves of Southwell — Europe's finest 13th-century stone carvings — are at direct risk of water damage.

A single tree removal this week cost the cash-strapped cathedral almost £20,000, with Evans warning the estate has had no maintenance for a 'very, very long time'.

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