Current Appeal News

Roy Hattersley

 

We were delighted to welcome Lord Hattersley back to the Cathedral to mark the first anniversary of the Appeal. Lord Hattersley, who famously said last year “Canterbury Cathedral is not just a building, nor even just a Cathedral, it is England in stone”, was given an update on the Appeal and a tour of the conservation work by and David Innes Chief Executive of the Appeal and Heather Newton Head of Stone Conservation.

"It has been a good year and a lot of marvellous work has been done," said Lord Hattersley, who met stonemasons and apprentices during his visit. "It must look now very much as it looked when it was originally built. I have been impressed - you can't come here without being impressed," he said. Commenting on the £7 million Appeal total, Lord Hattersley said it was an extraordinary figure to have raised so far "But it won't be a satisfactory figure until it's £50m," he said During his visit he urged people to continue to support the Appeal: "This building is part of our culture and our heritage and there are all sorts of ways people can help to preserve it. "They can buy a stone or a lead roof tile with their initials on it. They are comparatively small sums of money but small sums of money that add up to a total. I'm going to buy a stone before I go, so I will be able to say that one of those stones is there because of me," he said.

High Sheriff visits the conservation project

 

On 7th September the conservation work being carried out at the Cathedral was viewed by the High Sheriff of Kent, Nigel Wheeler.

The High Sheriff was shown some of the major structural problems now evident in the roofs as well as the extent of damage to the stonework. He also met some of the stonemasons and even had a go himself. After his tour, Mr Wheeler said: “ It has been a revelation to see the very serious nature of the problems facing Canterbury Cathedral and the scale of the conservation work that is required over the coming years. “It is wonderful to see how the money from this Appeal is being spent and to witness the skills of the many people who are working so hard to ensure that we can preserve this great building for generations to enjoy.”

Canterbury Tale

 

In mid September, the Cathedral played host to a very special event - the screening in the Nave of the iconic 1944 film, A Canterbury Tale. The evening was organised by BBC South East in support of the Appeal and was the culmination of a number of features over the previous weeks raising the profile of the film and the Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal.

Director of the film, Michael Powell loved this area of Kent having lived for many years in Bekesbourne and been educated at The King’s School. Powell insisted on finding locations and cast from in and around Canterbury for the film which, as the title suggests plays on the tales of Chaucer with the Cathedral featuring as a main character. The film is a moving reminder of the enduring appeal of this great Cathedral to visitors across the world.

It was a special pleasure to welcome one of the stars of the film, Sheila Sim, now Lady Attenborough and Michael Powell’s widow, Thelma Schoonmaker for the evening who spoke movingly about the importance of the film to them and Michael Powell. Other members of the cast also joined us for the event. A giant screen was erected in the Nave allowing 400 guests to watch the film in the surroundings it depicts so beautifully.

Speaking at the end of the evening, the Reverend Robert Willis, Dean of Canetrbury reminded the audience that despite many attempts to destroy the Cathedral over the centuries it has survived and must continue to survive for many generations to come.

Harry Christophers and the Sixteen – Winter Concert at Canterbury Cathedral

 

We are delighted to announce that on Monday 10th December, Harry Christophers and the Sixteen will be performing their magical music from the Sistine Chapel in a special concert in aid of Save Canterbury Cathedral. Described by Classic FM as "one of the world's most brilliantly honed chamber choirs" , the Sixteen will perform music by Allegri, Anerio,Palestrina and  Marenzio.  

 

Tickets: £28.50 £24.50 £20.00 or £10.00

Concert starts at 19.30

See the poster here

Tickets available by contacting 01227 865346 or emailing fundraisingcampaign@canterbury-cathedral.org

 

Lady Mayoress of Canterbury

 

We are delighted to announce that the Lady Mayoress of Canterbury, Leslie Windsor, has chosen the Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal as one of her charities to support throughout her year in office.

Speaking at a special launch at Canterbury Cathedral of her year of fundraising, Mrs Windsor commented “I have chosen two charities that play a very important role in Kent and will be working hard to raise funds for them throughout the year. Canterbury Cathedral is one of our country’s most important heritage and religious sites and has been a centre of pilgrimage and hospitality for hundreds of years. It is crucial that we do our bit to preserve it so that generations to come can enjoy it too."

The Great Rome Bike Ride

 

27 cyclists left Canterbury Cathedral heading for Rome on Friday 10thAugust. Over 17 days, the intrepid team covered nearly 2,000 kilometres. The cyclists averaged 75 miles a day and climbed a total of over 70,000 ft during the 17 day cycle. The highest point reached was the top of the Grand St Bernard Pass at 2469 metres (8101 ft) above sea level and the climbs covered will be the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest three times. The cyclists that took part were aged between 16 and 65. They included a Crown Court Judge, the Chief Executive of Canterbury City Council, a Kent businessman, a professor of music, a teacher, a medical consultant and students; the group was led by Canon Ed Condry, the Treasurer of Canterbury Cathedral. Each cyclist had put in at least 100 hours of training covering 1000 miles in preparation. This is equivalent to the team cycling at least once around the world.

The team travelled the ancient pilgrim route known as the Via Francigena. The route was first recorded by a previous Archbishop of Canterbury, Sigeric in 990AD.

The team have done a magnificent job of raising over £100,000 for charities, half of which will go to the Save Canterbury Cathedral appeal. Each rider will also give 50% of his or her sponsorship to an individual second charity and there is still time to offer to support this heroic venture by donating online or contacting the Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal office on 01227 865346.

Caen stone returns to Canterbury for the first time in over 100 years

 

In September, our stonemasons welcomed the arrival of a 25 tonne consignment of stone from a quarry in Caen in Northern France. This is an exciting development for us as it represents the first time that Caen stone will have been used in the Cathedral for over 100 years. Caen stone is no stranger to Canterbury Cathedral. Much of the beautiful pale stonework of the original Cathedral hails from the Plain de Caen. However, a shortage of supply at the end of the 19th century meant that the Cathedral stonemasons had to source stone from elsewhere, much of it of inferior quality to or a poor match for the Caen. The stone will be used in the work now taking place on the Corona.

Caen stone is ideal for use in the Cathedral – it is of an excellent quality, beautiful colour, easy to work with and is long lasting. Heather Newton, Head of Stone Conservation at the Cathedral commented, “We are delighted to be bringing stone from the Plain de Caen back to the Cathedral after a long absence. We have now sourced a good supply which is close in structure to the high quality stone used in medieval times. It will ensure an excellent match with much of the original stonework that remains within the Cathedral”.

Win a world famous Rocking Horse for Christmas

 

The Appeal is delighted to be launching a fabulous raffle offering a world- famous Stevenson Brothers Rocking Horse as the first prize. The rocking horse on offer is one of the most popular models, the Dapple Grey (see picture to right) and would be a much loved addition to any home. Adored by children and adults alike, the rocking horses are made using the best materials and traditional craftsmanship.  The horse has its own special features including a secret compartment in its tummy, proper saddlery and the mane and tail are made using genuine horsehair. With a retail price in excess of £2,500 this is a wonderful opportunity for any family to take part in.

 

The raffle will run until 10th December and the winning ticket will be drawn on 14th December as part of a week of Christmas fundraising activities for the Appeal. Tickets priced at just £2 each (£10 for a book of 5) are available from the Appeal office by contacting 01227 865346 or emailing fundraisingcampaign@canterbury-cathedral.org

 

People are welcome to request many raffle books and we hope that schools, businesses and other groups across Kent will want to take part in this terrific raffle.

 

Mark Stevenson, partner of Stevenson Brothers welcomed the link with the Appeal “As passionate supporters of traditional craftsmanship, Stevenson Brothers is delighted to be working with the Appeal to help save one of England’s most wonderful buildings. This rocking horse also celebrates our 25 years of making rocking horses and will be a very special heirloom to be handed from generation to generation. You just can’t beat that wonderful moment of seeing a child’s imagination take flight as they climb onto a rocking horse and escape into a different magical world.”

 

Archbishop’s Palace opens its doors foR unique coffee morning

The Old Palace at Canterbury Cathedral, home of the Archbishop, will open its doors from 10.00-12.30 for a very special coffee morning in aid of the Lady Mayoress Charities on Saturday 17th November. By kind permission of the Archbishop and Mrs Williams, this unique event will give visitors the opportunity to view the newly refurbished Palace whilst enjoying unlimited cups of tea or coffee and a slice of homemade cake. There will be an opportunity to purchase charity Christmas cards and gifts, plants, cakes, Fairtrade produce and a tombola with seasonal prizes.

As well as guided tours of the house, there will be organ music played by the Palace’s own chapel throughout the morning. Tickets for this special event are £3.50 and are available from Cathedral House, 11 The Precincts, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2EH or by calling 01227 762862.

Please make any cheques payable to Lady Mayoress Charity. Applications can be made by post or in person. Alternatively you can pay at the gate on the day. Entry will be via the Palace Street entrance to the Palace.

Professional Art Sale – 10, 17, 24 November

 

Canterbury Cathedral calligrapher, Walter Thompson and his wife Joan, both professional artists are offering a range of works in fabric, paint and pen with all proceeds going to the Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal and St. Dunstan’s Church.

The sale takes place on three consecutive Saturdays in mid November and is open from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Entry is free; all welcome at 12 London Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 8LR.