The Peterborough Evening Telegraph

NO CATHEDRAL SALE

- By Joel Lamy joel.lamy@jpress.co.uk Twitter: @PTJoelLamy

Peterborou­gh Cathedral has categorica­lly denied suggestion­s in the national media that it may be sold by the Church of England due to its financial difficulti­es.

The Daily Mail was reporting last Friday that the Church of England “may be forced to sell one or more of its ancient cathedrals because of their overwhelmi­ng debts,” before namechecki­ng Peterborou­gh Cathedral in the article.

The Jeremy Vine Show was also discussing Peterborou­gh Cathedral’s finances on Friday, prompting a tweet from the cathedral which read: “We’d like to reassure anyone who listened to @theJeremyV­ine that there is no danger of our staff not being paid.

“We face financial challenges but do so with skill and much support. Come and visit, it’s beautiful here! @BBCRadio2.”

The city’s cathedral has had well documented recent financial problems, which has culminated in redundanci­es.

And in an attempt to turn its finances around it has hosted a BMW launch event in the Nave and has appointed a new head of fundraisin­g and developmen­t, Dawn Caplin.

However, despite the money problems entrance fees will not be introduced at the cathedral.

Responding to the reports, The Very Rev Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborou­gh, said: “The Church of England is not considerin­g selling Peterborou­gh Cathedral, nor is its future in jeopardy.

“As we celebrate our 900th anniversar­y we look forward with confidence to the future. We are continuing to make good progress in managing the financial challenges that inevitably come with maintainin­g and staffing one of the great buildings of Europe.

“We would encourage people to support and enjoy the cathedral by visiting, taking a tour or attending events and services.

“We have a full and exciting programme of activities planned for the future, including the visit of Tim Peake’s spacecraft in August.

“We will not be introducin­g entrance fees, although donations are always welcome.”

 ??  ?? The Very Rev Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborou­gh
The Very Rev Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborou­gh

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