Gravity-defying scaffolding now reaches all the way to the very top of Worcester Cathedral as repairs are carried out following a winter storm.

The structure, put up by Malvern Scaffolding, now rises all the way up to the very top of the tower, clinging limpet-like to the cathedral. 

Workers with a head for heights are preparing to add the finishing touches after a pinnacle was toppled by Storm Arwen in November 2021 - but first, they have to brave the 62m (203.41 ft) tower. 

Worcester News: FIERCE: The Crowned Lion which will soon adorn Worcester Cathedral FIERCE: The Crowned Lion which will soon adorn Worcester Cathedral (Image: Worcester Cathedral)

Levels of scaffolding have been added over the last few weeks to make the repairs after a vortex swirling around College Yard dislodged the pinnacle, sending it crashing through the cathedral roof as Worcester was battered by high winds.

The city may be used to peregrine falcons making a home in the heights of the Cathedral but, soon enough, there will be new creatures in the structure's bestiary - a crowned lion, a unicorn and a dragon to look out over Worcester. 

Worcester News: VERTIGO: Sir Edward Elgar's statue gazes out towards the scaffolding which covers one side of Worcester Cathedral, all the way to the top VERTIGO: Sir Edward Elgar's statue gazes out towards the scaffolding which covers one side of Worcester Cathedral, all the way to the top (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The hope is that the pinnacle can be installed at the end of this month with a delay of eight weeks caused by the nesting peregrines.

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As well as installing the new, north-facing pinnacle (it is part of a twin set), the east-facing pinnacle, which sustained fractures within its base due to the storm, will be dismantled and rebuilt with restoration work to the base shaft stones.

Worcester News: MISSION: The scaffolding on Worcester Cathedral, viewed from Deansway MISSION: The scaffolding on Worcester Cathedral, viewed from Deansway (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Apprentice stonemasons, Debbie Branford and Alfie Rollett, will replace the cornice stones on the north upper quire clerestory parapet, cutting out and replacing the damaged cornice stones.

The new north-facing pinnacle will comprise a unicorn and a lion head, crafted by Stonemason Neil Berry, and a dragon’s head created by Master Mason, Darren Steele.

These are to represent the Royal Beasts and will commemorate the Coronation year. The unicorn will have an oak horn made by the Cathedral Carpenter, Dave Skipp.

Some of the pinnacle crocket stones have been carved by a freelance stonemason, Saul Sheldon, who worked as a mason at the Cathedral in the past.

Craig Atton, another freelancer who trained here at Worcester Cathedral, will be joining the team to help with dismantling the damaged pinnacle, whilst the Cathedral team will be covering the restoration and repair.

The new pinnacle is made of red sandstone called Hollington, and was purchased from Hollington quarry - its place of origin in Hollington village Staffordshire. 

The Cathedral was battered by 100mph winds when the storm hit Worcester in November 2021 and the pinnacle was toppled, crashing through the north choir and leaving a gaping hole in the roof.

Chief operating officer Matthew Hall said it was one of the biggest scaffolding jobs they had ever had and the biggest ever undertaken by Malvern Scaffolding.

Stonemasons have taken some of their inspiration for the Royal Beasts from the royal palace of Hampton Court.

The work, which is expected to take 12 weeks, started on May 30. 

The damaged pinnacle was carved in the 1950s.