Two Herschel radiant chandeliers have recently been installed in the Lady Chapel of St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh. Each chandelier has three heat settings, to allow additional control, and lighting fixtures are attached.
A few members of the provincial Net Zero Team popped into the cathedral after a Staff Meeting at the General Synod Office and were impressed by the look and feel of the chandeliers. They honestly do look fabulous, and yet also look like they have been part of the fabric of the cathedral for many years. The detailing on the circumference of the chandeliers has been chosen to match the ironwork in the Lady Chapel – a beautiful design feature.
Herschel have drawn up plans for 6 custom-made chandeliers to be situated in the nave, and for panels to heat the choir and other areas of the Cathedral. The chandeliers for the nave would be one-and-a-half times bigger than those in the Lady Chapel. The expected costs for installing the rest of this heating at St Mary’s Cathedral are around £750,000.
At present, the Cathedral’s gas heating needs turning on the night before in order to make any difference in thermal comfort; however, even then, the building still tends to feel cold the next morning. In contrast, the radiant chandeliers provide warmth within minutes of being switched on.
St Mary’s Cathedral were delighted to use money gifted by Dr Malcolm Donaldson, late husband of the children’s author Julia Donaldson, for the installation of the two chandeliers.
Testimonials
I’m very pleased with the chandeliers. They are much more elegant than the light fittings we had here before. And we’ve worked out that they each cost about a pound an hour to run, when on full heat settings. So far, we have only needed the chandeliers on one-third heat setting during a chilly morning service. We feel Herschel were well worth the money as the heaters do not glow red and they look so elegant.
Marion Chatterley, St Mary’s Cathedral Vice Provost
Incognito. That is how I would describe the two new Herschel heaters in the Lady Chapel at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh. I knew they had been installed, and I knew what I was looking for, but if I hadn’t, would I have noticed them? On an unusually warm May lunchtime, they were not switched on. They sat there, almost unnoticed above my head, blending into the background as if they had been there for the last century; aesthetically pleasing. I almost wished for a cold, dreich day, where I could sit there and bask in their warming glow. As I stepped back out into the busy street, I pondered if this is the future – a glorious radiance to sit under while in silent contemplation; a sanctuary where, on a cold winter’s day, pole position is no longer nearest the radiator.
Neil Rawlins, Net Zero Team contact for Edinburgh Diocese
We are looking forward to welcoming representatives from Herschel, and other installers, at some of our upcoming Diocesan Roadshow events. If you have not yet registered to attend an event, please do so here.
Bethany Nelson, Empowerment Coordinator
