Craftsmen work on weatherproofing Lindisfarne Priory

May 9 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

CRAFTSMEN have begun saving one of the nation’s most important Anglo-Saxon sites from the harsh effects of the weather.

Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island, Northumberland is being protected from further decay by English Heritage commissioned work.

The craftsmen, from North Shields, are now beginning the first stage of securing the Priory building, a place of pilgrimage for more than 1,300 years. Local materials will also be used to save one of the nation’s favourite historic sites.

The Priory, which attracts more than 500,000 visitors a year, is in a dramatic exposed position on the island, which leaves it at the mercy of the weather.

Over the years this has resulted in the decay of evocative carved and decorated stonework. However, using Northumberland quarried stone, the local craftsmen have now carried out vital work to protect the Priory from further weather damage.