Key Facts

• The damaged glass panel is part of the west screen at Coventry Cathedral, featuring 66 large hand-engraved saints and angels by artist John Hutton.
• The west screen is a 20th-century masterpiece and was commissioned as part of the cathedral’s post-World War II rebuilding.
• The damage happened on May 22 when a ladder was accidentally knocked into the glass by a gust of wind while setting up for an orchestra concert.
• This screen was also damaged in 2020 during a burglary when a brick was thrown through another angel panel.
• Experts worry that repeated damage from events could harm the delicate art and that repair costs may outweigh income from hosting events.
• The cathedral’s acting dean said the panel will be repaired later this year and emphasized the importance of balancing public events with care for the artwork.
• Some specialists have asked for a pause in the event schedule to review how to better protect the glass screen.
• The west screen was designed by John Hutton and commissioned by architect Sir Basil Spence, who rebuilt the cathedral incorporating ruins from WWII bombing.