The roof over Shakespeare’s head is at risk of falling in. It is the chancel roof of Holy Trinity – ‘Shakespeare’s Church’ – in Stratford-upon-Avon. It sits over Shakespeare’s bust, gravestone and final resting place with its famous blessing and curse:-
The problem is rotting beams deteriorating more quickly than had been thought. It was discovered after inspection during current restoration work on the north clerestory.
Urgent building work is to be undertaken later in the autumn. This will benefit from builders and resources already on site.
Holy Trinity is 800 next year (2010) and is thinking ahead to the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death (2016). Shakespeare was baptised as well as buried in the church, buried his son and married his daughter there. In this church he heard and was profoundly influenced – scholars agree – by the vigorous language of the first authorised bible and book of prayer in English. He is the Tudor dramatist who most quotes the bible.
Since 2002 nearly £1m has been spent restoring Shakespeare’s Church, starting with the tower and spire. This follows regular quinquennial inspections by church architect Ian Stainburn. The next of these inspections is due this winter when more work will be identified. Costs up to 2015 are expected to be substantial.
The funding of the restoration is mainly the responsibility of the Friends of Shakespeare’s Church, a registered charity (chairman Sir Brian Follett) formed in 2002 because of the scale of work required. It acts on a ‘raise and spend’ policy.
Vicar of Holy Trinity, the Reverend Martin Gorick says:-
