Open door policy at cathedral

Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire has opened its doors to a bright new future following the recent completion of the Narthex Project. The privately funded project, delivered by York-based restoration firm William Anelay in conjunction with a number of local sub contractors and London-based Caroe Architecture, will be officially opened later this year.

The traditional Palm Sunday procession on Sunday 1 April saw the new West Front in use for the first time after a three month programme of works that has involved the installation of glass porches with engravings by artist Sally Scott, depicting scenes from the life of St Wilfrid, founder of Ripon Cathedral.

The Dean of Ripon, The Very Revd Keith Jukes, said: “The Narthex project has created a more welcoming entrance to the cathedral and will allow us to keep the doors permanently open during the daytime for the first time in almost 150 years.

“The new entrance area is now one of the most eye-catching of any cathedral in the country and it will let in the light as well as allowing tourists and the local community to witness the true majesty of the cathedral’s interior from outside.”

 For more details see website www.riponcathedral.org.uk.