Pinnacle Pioneers

Pinnacle Pioneers was a very popular campaign launched by Peterborough Cathedral in 2008 to assist with the fundraising for The West Front Project, which ran from 2007-2009. The iconic West Front of Peterborough Cathedral is arguably one of the most important gothic constructions in the whole of the UK and as it approaches its 900th birthday, it is becoming increasingly in need of intensive restoration to preserve and maintain it for generations to come.

Generations of weathering, exacerbated by atmospheric pollution during the past 150 years, demanded a £600,000 conservation and restoration project which took 3 years to complete. To help fund restoration, the Cathedral launched a number of fundraising initiatives including the Custodian of a Statue scheme and Pinnacle Pioneers explained here.

The Custodian of a Statue Appeal was launched in 2007 and has proved enormously successful to date raising in excess of £200,000 with all but 2 of the statues being ‘adopted’ by generous benefactors. In 2008 however, the second initiative was launched to inspire fresh interest in the West Front Project and offer a new way for people to help.

Pinnacle Pioneers was a scheme which allowed donors a rare opportunity to climb the private stairway within the scaffolding on the outside of the West Front tower to see first hand the skilled craftsmanship taking place as part of this restoration project. Pioneers were offered the opportunity to arrange a private appointment to make their ascent with the Cathedral architect or archaeologist to allow them to discover some of the history of the fabric and the work as well as having their photo taken with their pinnacle, a certificate commemorating their ascent and the chance to receive hospitality and thanks with Cathedral staff as a thank you after the event for just £200 per trip.

This scheme proved enormously successful with around 30 individuals becoming ‘Pinnacle Pioneers’ including best selling author, Ken Follet, who became our first celebrity supporter.

Work on the West Front ended on time and on budget in December 2009 but there are still 2 statues available for Custodianship, which can be dedicated in memory to a loved one as a lasting tribute at one of the top 10 landmarks in the UK (as voted by Fujifilm Users in a 2007 poll). Anyone interested in adopting one of our last 2 status can contact the Cathedral Office on 01733 355315 or email trust@peterborough-cathedral.org.uk.

We have also recently just launched a new fundraising project this time on our Cathedral to ‘Save the Ceiling’ of our Nave following overflow of rainwater caused by climate change. Due to increasingly heavy downpours there is a very real danger that if not addressed, water will begin to seep through to the internal fabric of the Cathedral and putting the great organ and the unique 13th century hand-painted Nave Ceiling at grave risk. The amount required for this project is estimated to be in the region of £100,000 so please if you would like to sponsor a hopper required to carry water away from our roof.

Alternatively, anyone who would simply like to make a one off donation to Cathedral maintenance and restoration can send a cheque payable to The Peterborough Cathedral Development and Preservation Trust, Peterborough Cathedral Office, Minster Precincts, Peterborough, PE1 1XS.