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There
followed a period of gentle decline and decay with many
bishops being more absent than present and several deans
appointed from the laity. Consequently a major restoration
programme was needed by the middle of the 1800s. Under
Dean Goodenough the monuments were removed to the cloisters
and 'the great scrape' was instituted in the 1840s when
the whitewash was vigorously removed together with most
of the remaining medieval paint.
Anthony Salvin, an architect of repute, was in charge
of the extensive restoration of the Quire. The wooden
galleries were removed and new stalls with stone canopies
were placed further back within the line of the arches.
The stone screen was pushed outwards in the centre to
support a magnificent new organ.
Such was the success of the restoration that in the
1900s it was possible to keep a rolling programme of
improvement to the fabric going and this strategy has
continued to this day. It is evident from the state
of the building now, that the dean and chapter have
taken their duty seriously, to make and keep this a
fitting place in which to worship God and sing his praises. |
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