Members of Parliament and of The House of Lords have given their support to the campaign to preserve Canterbury Cathedral.  Around a dozen members of the influential All-Party Arts and Heritage Group visited the Cathedral and met some of those involved in the vital conservation work.

Chairman of the Group, Sir Patrick Cormack MP said “We were delighted to bring members of the Group to Canterbury so they could see the problems at first hand, and get a flavour of the meticulous craftsmanship that is helping to conserve the Cathedral.  The disaster that faces us is that sufficient resources are not produced in time to secure the future of this great national treasure”

After being welcomed by The Dean of Canterbury, The Very Reverend Robert Willis, the parliamentarians were briefed by William Roe, the Cathedral’s Clerk of Works, and the Chief Executive of the Appeal, Matthew Butler.  The group then met stained glass conservators and stonemasons involved in the conservation work.

 Matthew Butler said “We greatly welcomed the opportunity to brief MPs on the challenges we face.  We were also able to tell them of the great generosity of people throughout Kent who continue to support the conservation campaign.  The campaign is now going national, and we need politicians of all parties to give Canterbury their support”

* For further information please contact Matthew Butler on 01227 865348 or 07771 833188 or Christopher Robinson on 01227 762862 or 07759 215537.

The current Canterbury conservation campaign was launched in 2006 and has so far raised more than £9.5m towards essential work at the Cathedral.