Salisbury Cathedral prepares for final ‘topping out’ after 37 years of repairs

The rescue and repair programme began in 1986. Photograph: Martin Cook

It has taken 37 years to restore Salisbury Cathedral – only 12 months less than medieval builders required to construct the main body of the great church in the first place.

But finally on Thursday a “topping out” ceremony will be performed high above the church floor to mark the end of a rescue and repair project that began in 1986, and before Christmas the scaffolding that has wreathed the cathedral for decades will be gone.