Behind the scenes at Newcastle Cathedral
30th March 2021
Common Ground in a Sacred Space.
Newcastle Cathedral will host two “Pay As You Feel’ online panel discussion events exploring the research, work and people behind their regeneration project, Common Ground in Sacred Space. Behind the scenes at Newcastle Cathedral. Your chance to find out more!
The building has been closed to the visiting public since January 2020 when work began on the £6M National Lottery Heritage Fund project and is expected to reopen this summer with a vastly transformed nave, re-landscaped outside space and new audio-visual heritage displays.
Turning a Dream into Reality is the first event and examines the origins and vision behind the project and will take place on Zoom on Wednesday 7 April at 6:30pm.
It brings together an expert panel including Jane Kennedy (Cathedral Architect), Dave Heslop (Cathedral Archaeologist) and the Very Revd Geoff Miller, Dean of Newcastle.
Sarah Stewart OBE, former Chief Executive of the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative and currently High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear, will be running proceedings and digging deeper into how this spiritual space is being enhanced for 21st century visitors.
The second online event, Protecting our Regional Treasures will delve into the specific work that has taken place; the challenges presented by the pandemic, and the surprising discoveries made along the way.
It will take place on zoom on Wednesday 28 April at 6:30pm and will also focus on the preservation of important historic and artistic features, including the Cathedral’s collection of ledger stones, the medieval font, and 14th century ‘Unknown Knight’ effigy.
The panellists will be Anthony Short (Site Foreman at Historic Property Restoration Ltd), Dr David Carrington (Founder and Managing Director at conservation firm Skillington Workshop) and Dan Rose (Designer and Director at Raskl: a Newcastle-based company that has created the Cathedral’s new liturgical furniture).
Lindy Gilliland, the Cathedral’s Common Ground in Sacred Space Project Manager, will lead the conversation among these key partners who have helped to solve some of the issues faced and protect the Cathedral’s treasured history.
Alina Trewhitt, the Cathedral’s Learning and Activities Officer says:
“These online events will give members of the public a chance to find out what’s been going on behind closed doors – not just our congregation and regular visitors, but also people who may never have ever visited the Cathedral before.
“They’ll be fascinating opportunities to find out more about all the work that goes into such a massive, transformational project.”
Tickets for both online events are now available, with a minimum fee of £1 to attend. Links to book your place can be accessed via the Cathedral’s website: newcastlecathedral.org.uk/panel-events