Chapter Report June 2026

Chapter signs off 2025 annual report, hears about education and outreach

A review of 2025 and approval of the report and accounts for the last year were top of the agenda at the recent meeting of the cathedral’s Chapter, or Board of Trustees.

As a registered charity, the cathedral is obliged to file its accounts with the Charity Commission, and Chapter must be confident that these represent a true picture of the cathedral’s finances. While the financial challenges are considerable, with last year seeing an operating deficit of £130,000, Chapter heard that the cathedral continues to deliver considerable public benefit. “The rhythm of prayer, worship, events, and outreach undergird all we do,” says the introduction to the report. Chapter commended the work done by the Finance and Risk & Audit committees as well as the Senior Management Team, to ensure our financial reporting is rigorous and timely.

The report and accounts will be made available on the cathedral website as soon as they have been finalised.

Chapter heard an in-depth presentation of one aspect of the cathedral’s outreach work: that of education and outreach to children and adults. Gillian Bunn, Community Outreach Officer, described the range of activities that take place with schools, children and families and adults.

“This area of work is one of our real success stories,” commented Canon Jane Evans, vice-chair of Chapter. “We were delighted to hear just how many children come through our doors for all sorts of tours, educational and fun events.”

Taking a broader view, Chapter learned of recent research into the cathedral sector as a whole, which demonstrated the extent of the public value offered by English cathedrals and the financial challenges faced by many. Research shows that cathedrals generate £235 million of economic expenditure per year, create more than 6,000 jobs and mobilise 13,000 volunteers. Yet despite high public value, around 80 per cent of Anglican cathedrals operate in structural deficit, with no guaranteed national funding for their core functions. The findings of the research form the basis of discussions with government and other bodies in a bid to secure the future of the sector.