Become a Friend

Becoming a Friend is not just about conserving a beautiful old building – it’s about joining a community that exists to support the Cathedral and forge links among those who love it. It costs as little as £15 to join – and you’ll be making a huge contribution to preserving this precious place for the future.

What do friends do?

  • Our members include people interested in history and heritage, and with local or emotional links to this place. In a nutshell, we are:
  • Enthusiastic supporters of this great medieval Cathedral, its special history and treasures, and its great choral tradition
  • People committed to conserving this precious heritage forever by contributing financially and in other ways, such as helping promote public awareness and organising events
  • A registered charity set up for all those who love the Cathedral to express their support and affection, in the way that best fits with their available time and interests.
  • A group of like-minded people who make a huge contribution to the Cathedral and get a great deal of enjoyment from doing so.

What kinds of projects do Friends support?

Since they were founded in 1931, Friends have raised £8 million in today’s money to support a wide range of important initiatives. Since 2000 alone, Friends have made £2.7 million in grants to projects including:

  • Funding work on our new Fleury Building to house pastoral work, storage and utilities  - £820,000
  • Helping fund major repairs to the Cathedral’s stonework, stained glass windows, organ and roof – £775,000
  • Improving lighting and access for our disabled worshippers and visitors – £270,000
  • Providing a new CCTV system to improve safety and security in the Lady Chapel and Inner Close – £72,000
  • Conserving some of the precious ancient books in our 17th-century Morley Library – £26,500
  • Funding two boy choristers every year – an annual grant of £24,000
  • Funding our girl choristers to learn a musical instrument – an annual grant of £14,500
  • Providing vestments for our clergy – £5,000
  • Paying for the work of our flower arrangers – an annual grant of £4,500
  • Funding the purchase of a dumb bell for our bell-ringers – £2,269
  • Funding the magnificent Christmas tree that stands in our Nave during the Christmas season – an annual grant of £350

Note: All figures expressed at 2010 values

Why join the Friends?

The Cathedral has existed for nearly a thousand years, and it’s all too easy to take its future for granted. But it receives no money from the State or the Church to conserve its buildings and treasures, or to support its work.

If you care about the Cathedral’s future, please consider joining us. You’ll also meet and make friends with people with similar interests, linked by a shared commitment to preserving one of the most beautiful and important old buildings in the world.

We know that people have busy lives. You may decide simply to contribute financially. You may also want take part in our regular activities. Whatever level of involvement you choose, we’d love to hear from you. We can offer you in return:

  • Special access – Free entry to the Cathedral at any time it’s open to the public, plus priority booking for a Christmas Carol Service
  • Regular news and information – Our annual journal about the Cathedral and its history, the Cathedral Record, plus a summer and autumn newsletter mailed to the address of your choice
  • A programme of social events – including talks and lectures by a wide range of expert speakers, the Friends’ Annual General Meeting in July, plus occasional and outings

What does it cost?

We ask members to pay a minimum of £15 a year, but of course you are welcome to contribute more! So for as little as the cost of ten cups of coffee, you can become part of a charity that really make a difference.

Find out more

Get in touch
Email Janet Green, the Friends’ General Secretary, or call her on 01962 857244

Download our Friends of Winchester Cathedral leaflet
Includes more information and an application form

Discover Winchester Cathedral Resources List 2011 (PDF)
Includes a full list of Cathedral history and heritage booklets published by the Friends