Cathedral marks milestone with ceremony

Portsmouth Cathedral held a topping out ceremony to mark the progress of building work.
Sir Paul Ruddock at the unveilingSir Paul Ruddock at the unveiling
Sir Paul Ruddock at the unveiling

Essential repairs to the tower at St Thomas of Canterbury have been under way since last summer, thanks to a grant from the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repair Fund.

Guests were greeted by the Dean of Portsmouth, the Very Reverend David Brindley, and attended a presentation by cathedral architect Simon Ablett on the restoration work undertaken by Daedalus Conservation and RW Armstrong.

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An tour of the building works provided guests with a look at the progress of the work while ascending the scaffolding in place on the outside of the cathedral tower.

Sir Paul Ruddock, a Commissioner of the National Infrastructure Commission, unveiled with the Dean a commemorative plaque which will be placed on the cathedral tower.

It can be viewed by the public in the cathedral nave.

Images of the works photographed by Jonty Sexton, as well as several artefacts, including removed timbers, are on display in the nave.

Building work is expected to be completed later this spring, including the reinstallation of the iconic Golden Barque ship on the top of the cathedral tower.

Portsmouth’s cathedrals are among 31 to have received a pot of £20m nationally to support repairs.