Pupils succeed in competition to design new cathedral gargoyles
THE DESIGNS of 10 pupils from across North Yorkshire have been chosen to go through to the final of a competition to create two new gargoyles for one of the region’s most famous landmarks.
More than 1,000 youngsters submitted entries for the competition, which is being run as part of a restoration project being undertaken in the north-east corner of Ripon Cathedral.
Work to renew and repair the stonework is being carried out following a £354,617 grant from the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund.
Cathedral architect Oliver Caroe and two expert stone carvers were among the judges. Mr Caroe said: “We’ve had an age range from about four to 13 and there are some really extraordinary, skilful drawings. The amount of creative talent is immense.”
The top ten designs are currently on display at the cathedral and members of the public are now invited to come along and cast their vote.
The winning children will work with the architect and stone-carvers to see their ideas brought to fruition – taking their place on the cathedral for centuries to come.
Mr Caroe said: “This is going to create a set of memories for children which will stay with them for ever, not just them but their children and possibly their grandchildren will be introduced to the idea of the brilliant material stuff of cathedrals because they will always be pointing up saying, ‘My grandad designed that!’ That is a legacy that you can’t buy – that’s really, really wonderful.”
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson said: “It’s a fascinating project – it’s engaged with over 1,000 young people across the region. It’s an odd project in some ways – here we are in the 21st century asking young people to design a gargoyle in a medieval style.
“The great thing about gargoyles is that in a sense they were a warning of the power of evil and the ways in which evil could spoil life on planet Earth and that’s still the case in the 21st century.”