Inside Salisbury: 25 tonnes of carbon emissions to be saved at Salisbury Cathedral
Positive news for Salisbury Pantry shop and Safer and Supportive Salisbury
By Annette J Beveridge
A major project to reduce Salisbury Cathedral’s carbon footprint through the installation of a more sustainable lighting system is to save more than 25 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
It is a part of the Cathedral’s mission to reach net zero carbon and the LED lighting now in place will balance illumination with the atmosphere at services. It will also help tour guides show off parts of the building as never seen before, particularly high up where medieval paint has been revealed in the arches and a blocked doorway to the former glazing workshop above the Trinity Chapel near the High Altar.
Read more: Concert by Candlelight review
Canon Treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral, Revd. Kenneth Padley, said: “Responding to climate change is an essential part of our responsibility to safeguard God’s creation. With the previous halogen lamps coming to the end of their natural life, our aim has been to reduce the Cathedral’s carbon footprint and provide high-quality discreet lighting to showcase the building’s heritage.
“Christians know Jesus as light in our hearts and world. We are delighted with how our new installation symbolises this good news.”
The Cathedral had already replaced the lighting of the exterior of the building in 2023 and installed hidden solar panels on the roof of the South Cloister in 2020.
Working with Yeovil-based Spectrum Electrical Group which managed the project, fittings made by industry-leading architectural lighting manufacturer ERCO, there is now a more sustainable lighting system which will improve the experience for visitors and service attendees.
Managing Director of Spectrum Electrical Group, Richard Clayton, said: “All the team at Spectrum Electrical who have worked on the internal relighting of Salisbury Cathedral feel privileged to have been entrusted with such a high profile project.
“The astonishing results are testament to the high standards of workmanship achieved by our team, the outstanding design solutions and vision of Steve Thompson and ERCO and the working relationship we had throughout with Kenneth, Gary, Phil and the rest of the team at Salisbury Cathedral whose knowledge and assistance helped us enormously in completing the installation safely and on programme.”
Read more: Record-breaking sum received and news about Inside Salisbury
The project was completed on time and to budget and was made possible with a generous grant from the Friends of Salisbury Cathedral. In addition to reducing the risk of fire, tackling climate change and the Cathedral’s carbon footprint is one of its strategic goals. It is also more energy-saving and will save more than 80% on the previous system.
Sales Director, ERCO UK Regional & Republic of Ireland, Steve Thompson, said: ‘‘At ERCO, we believe that light has the power to transform and inspire. Working with Spectrum Electrical Group and Salisbury Cathedral to deliver a bespoke LED lighting solution has been an honour, allowing us to enhance the building’s architectural beauty and historical detail while reducing its environmental impact and maintenance costs.
“Spaces like the Cathedral are at the heart of their communities, and we’re proud that our lighting helps bring people together for worship, reflection, and celebration showcasing the profound role light plays in shaping these shared experiences.’’
The Cathedral’s plan to combat climate change and to achieve carbon net zero continues with plans to install similar LED lighting in the Cloisters and Chapter House, as well as explore the scope for a ground source heat pump to greatly reduce the carbon footprint of heating the Cathedral.
Further information about Salisbury Cathedral’s commitment to caring for the environment can be found here.
From left to right Clerk of Works Gary Price, ERCO Lighting, Steve Thompson, Phil Court, Robert Poole, Kenneth Padley, Richard Pike, Tyler Ringwood-Hoare, Richard Clayton, and Ryan Paul. Photo credit: Finnbarr Webster
Other photos: Martin Cook.
A future community hub and key positive changes
MAKING the city safer for residents has been a key motivator for one charity in the city and now there are plans for a central hub which could be put to good use within the community.
Safer and Supportive Salisbury, a registered charity, is all about making a difference in the lives of both women and girls and bringing positive changes to the Salisbury community. It has now taken over the shop lease at 59 Catherine Street which is currently used part-time as the Your Pantry facility.
This will continue to operate on its usual dates.
Spokesperson Liz Batten said: “We are now the tenants there. This now gives us a foothold [in the city]. We can use it as a meeting space or for hiring and we will keep the prices really cheap so that groups that just want somewhere for an hour or two or for a one-to-one can go there.”
The plan is to make the space a community hub and in time, to potentially open a community cafe. This will maximise the space which at other times would be empty.
Liz said: “At the moment we are not manning it all the time so it will take time.”
It is an exciting progression for the charity and will ultimately help many members of the community but as of now, the plans are in the discussion stage.
More information about the charity can be found here.
