Peter Wilson’s Wrap

Whether everything can be blamed on the economic downturn, however, is entirely debatable. Across the border, the Church of England has been lamenting the imminent closure of a Lottery-based fund that currently gives it £3m per year to maintain its cathedrals. Come January 2010, the money stops and the Church’s overall income from Lottery sources will drop by at least one third. So what is it that is deemed a more important recipient of these funds than this vital part of the UK’s heritage and indeed its tourist industry? You don’t have to be a genius to guess that – yes - the London Olympics is going to hoover up this and every other available penny of Lottery dosh for the next hundred years. It currently costs six quid to get into Winchester Cathedral so, if you’re planning a visit, go now before the charge soars heavenwards.