Duke of Gloucester visits Lichfield Cathedral

Apr 30 2008 By Gurdip Thandi

AN ambitious project aimed at turning a landmark Midland cathedral into one of the most accessible in Britain was given a Royal seal of approval today.

The Duke of Gloucester paid a visit to Lichfield Cathedral to officially launch the £13.5 million Lichfield Inspires project, after agreeing to serve as Royal Patrol.

He was accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire James Hawley and they were greeted at the West Door of the cathedral by youngsters from St Chad’s CE Primary, Christ Church CE Primary, St Michael’s CE Primary and Lichfield Cathedral schools.

After meeting cathedral staff, he was taken on a tour of the medieval building by Revd Adrian Dorber, the Dean of Lichfield, the project’s architect Robert Kilgour and the chief officer of the cathedral Timothy Pain.

He was told how the project will benefit the building when conservation, restoration and renovation work is carried out.

Lichfield Inspires is being initiated by the Chapter of Lichfield Cathedral, to conserve and restore the building and its greatest heritage treasures for the nation and to transform the way it attracts and serves visitors for generations to come.

It aims to turn Lichfield Cathedral into one of the most accessible, sustainable, inspirational and well-interpreted cathedrals in Britain. During the next ten years, through a wide-ranging programme of work, the project aims to double visitor numbers to over 200,000 per year, and to triple educational visitors to more than 15,000.

Rev Dorber said: "It has been a memorable day for the Cathedral. A Royal visit always encourages volunteers and community to re-double the effort and commitment needed to launch a major undertaking like Lichfield Inspires"

Mr Pain said "Lichfield Inspires has been the culmination of 5 years of careful planning by the Cathedral Chapter.

"We are greatly excited about the support and encouragement we are already receiving from funders and planners. We very much look forward to the next 5 years with humble anticipation".