Chantry chapel being made more user-friendly

The scheme, which is being part-financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, involves building small "pods" at each corner of the west end of the interior of the chapel to house a composting lavatory and tea-making equipment.

Wooden pew platforms, laid on the floor in the 1880s will be replaced by a new level floor.

Making the chapel more user-friendly also involves repairs to the worn medieval spiral staircase and the provision of a rope handrail so that access to the original crypt can be safer.

The development is part of a more extensive project to hold more acts of worship in the Chantry and to make use of the building for educational purposes, in particular with classes from local schools.

The project has been planned by the Friends of Wakefield Chantry Chapel, the voluntary body pledged to keep the building in good repair, in association with the Dean and Chapter of Wakefield Cathedral who have overall responsibility for it.

Jonathan Greener, the Dean of Wakefield, said: "This little building is a great Wakefield treasure and we want as many people as possible to come and discover it.'

The Chantry Chapel was built in the mid 14th century at the same time as the stone bridge over the River Calder, and forms a buttress to the bridge. It was a Mass house dedicated to prayers for the souls of the dead.

The upper part was rebuilt in the 1840s. Together with the bridge, the Chantry is a scheduled ancient monument and Grade I listed building.

The work is being carried out following agreement with English Heritage and the Diocese of Wakefield.

Additional cash for the project has come from a number of organisations. Members of the Friends of Wakefield Chantry Chapel have made donations and the cost of the staircase repairs will be met from the Friends' Maintenance Fund.