News Release/ Photo call

Issued 2.4.09                    For immediate use

Cathedral to be revealed in a new light, as special Easter service commissions new lighting and seating

A special service is to be held at Ripon Cathedral on Easter Day, April 12th, to celebrate the switching on of its new lighting, and the installation of 282 specially built oak chairs at the culmination of  two projects totalling around £800,000 (eight hundred thousand pounds). The custom built ‘St Wilfrid’ Chairs, designed and made by Treske of Thirsk, will be dedicated at an Easter Day celebration service at 11.30am, to which all those who have supported the project have been invited.

Photocall- Interview opportunity: Tuesday 7 April at the West Door of Ripon Cathedral, 11.30am. You are cordially invited to film/photograph the arrival of the final delivery of more than 100 of the specially made chairs by Treske of Thirsk. The chairs will arrive at approximately 11.30 am. and be put into place. The new lighting will be switched on. The Dean of Ripon, Very Revd Keith Jukes,  and Justin Bartlett , Managing Director of Treske, will be present for interview.

The Easter Sunday Cathedral service comes at the culmination of the six month ‘Vision Project’ for the complete rewiring and re-lighting of the Cathedral. The lights will be turned on in the Nave and Choir to reveal the conclusion of this £700,000 project which has been supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, by individual donations and by events organised by the Ripon Cathedral Development Campaign. Environmental sustainability has been uppermost in the project with low energy light sources used wherever possible.

The service will also include the dedication of 282 custom made oak chairs, called the ‘St Wilfrid’ chair, and made by Treske of Thirsk, North Yorkshire.  These are supplemented by a further 400 folding chairs, known as the ‘St Peter’  seat. To fund the new chairs, a £100,000 ‘Chairs and Spares’ Appeal has been taking place and all those who have sponsored a chair have received a personal invitation from the Dean of Ripon to attend the Easter Sunday dedication service.  The Dean, the Very Revd  Keith Jukes, said “We are extremely grateful to all those who have given so much towards this major refurbishment of the Cathedral. Removing the pews, and replacing them with superb oak chairs is going to make our Nave look stunning; it will also give us the flexibility we need for major events.”

The Cathedral’s oak pews which date from the 1930’s have been sold – with fourteen turned into refectory style tables. Two of the tables have been delivered to buyers in Japan.

Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Ripon Cathedral, who provided the funding, the Nave and Choir have also had new audio and data cables laid in preparation for the new sound system to be installed later in the year.  A new Induction Loop has also been installed and will also be commissioned at the special Easter Day service. In addition, kneelers which have been embroided over the years by committed members of the congregation will also be dedicated.

ENDS

Photocall- Interview opportunity: Tuesday 7 April at the West Door of Ripon Cathedral, 11.30am. You are cordially invited to film/photograph the arrival of the final delivery of more than 100 of the specially made chairs by Treske of Thirsk. The chairs will arrive at approximately 11.30 am. and be put into place. The new lighting will be switched on. The Dean of Ripon, Very Revd Keith Jukes,  and Justin Bartlett , Managing Director of Treske, will be present for interview.

More information from Ian Horsford, Cathedral Administrator, 01765 603462

Issued by John Carter (Rev)
Press and Communications Officer, Diocese of Ripon and Leeds

jhgcarter@aol.com
01423 530369 or mobile 07798 652707