SPAB Scholars Visit Cathedral of St John the Baptist

Four scholarship students from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) recently visited the Cathedral of St John the Baptist to study the conservation of the Grade I-listed building. The early-career heritage professionals spent several days with Cathedral Architect Nicholas Warns to learn about the difficulties of maintaining a nationally significant place of worship.

The visit is part of a nine-month tour where the scholars meet conservation professionals, including architects, engineers, and craftspeople, at various historic sites across the UK. During their time at the cathedral, the students attended a morning Mass and observed how the different spaces within the cathedral and narthex are used.

Charley Purves, the cathedral's general manager, said the visit helped the scholars understand the practical constraints faced when managing the site. The SPAB scholarship is a postgraduate training program designed to teach professionals how to understand and appreciate historic buildings before implementing repairs or interventions.