Cathedral takes first steps towards £6m ‘renewal’

Archaelogical dig is first step in plans to update building housing UK’s oldest place of worship for modern day

RIPON CATHEDRAL, home to the oldest space for continuous worship in the country, is taking a step forward into the 21st century as it prepares for major change.

Hopes for its £6m Ripon Renewed scheme were revealed last year, as part of a two-part project to create a new building and open up unseen parts of the cathedral. Now, with plans submitted over an archaeological dig to test spaces in its grounds, the first concrete steps have been taken towards its ambitious goal.

The cathedral needs greater space to allow for 21st century facilities, according to its custodians, to create public toilets and a cafe, as well as a choir rehearsal space.

“It is fair to say this is probably one of the most significant developments since the church became a cathedral in 1836,” said the Very Rev John Dobson, the Dean of Ripon Cathedral.

“We’ve got this long history, we’ve got this wonderful building, but it’s quite clear to us now that we need 21st century facilities that people expect.”

Detailed discussions have been held with some of the country’s experts in archaeology and design, ahead of submission of plans for test investigations to ascertain what may lie beneath the preferred site, and also to ensure it could sustain the planned development.

THERE IS a rich history to Ripon Cathedral, in a tale founded on the fortunes of an English saint and to this day housing the nation’s oldest known place of worship.

Intricately carved Tudor rabbits in its quire are said to be Lewis Carroll’s inspiration for his novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, while its nave proved a sanctuary in times of war for poet Wilfred Owen.

Now, the guardians of this towering Gothic structure have submitted initial proposals for an archaeological investigation ahead of a planned new development.

What is unearthed could yet scupper all ambitions, were ancient remains of an early Anglo-Saxon settlement to be found from the saint’s own original community.

But custodians, only too aware of the legacy they uphold, say they must be ready for change if they are to preserve the cathedral’s future, and the first step is in expanding its house.

“We’ve got this ancient history, this fantastic architecture,” said the Very Rev John Dobson, Dean of Ripon Cathedral. “What we haven’t got is the facilities that people need.

“Each generation has, over 13 centuries, taken on what has been handed to it and made its contribution.

“We have a responsibility, in our generation, to make our contribution now.”

Ripon Cathedral is famed for its ancient crypt, all that remains of a 7th-century stone basilica built in 672 AD by St Wilfrid on the site of an old Celtic monastery.

It now lays claim to being the oldest structure of any English cathedral, which has been in the longest continuous use for worship.

The present building dates from 1180 and serves 2.5 million people across West Yorkshire and half of

North Yorkshire.

But as expectations have changed the cathedral has stayed the same. There are no toilets, the shop is in the tower base, and an aisle is closed for storage. Plans have been in the works for some time for a new building housing a cafe, storage, and the choir, who currently rehearse in a Norman undercroft once used as a charnel house for bones. Were there a purpose-built space for its needs, according to the Dean, parts of the cathedral previously unseen, such as its towers, could be opened up to the public.

Initial reports have been done on test areas where a new build may be, and now begins the first steps in formal investigations.

Plans have been submitted for an archaeological dig, with up to four test trenches in the south churchyard to see what may lie beneath. There will be graves in some areas, the Dean confirmed, but added that this is to be expected.

There is an “exciting” prospect, he claimed, that the buildings of St Wilfrid’s time may be unearthed.

He said: “We’re not holding our breath, and we’re not working towards that, but that’s why this site is so sensitive.”

We have a responsibility, in our generation, to make our contribution. The Very Rev John Dobson, Dean of Ripon Cathedral.

PICTURES: GARY LONGBOTTOM CHANGES: Clockwise from left, John Dobson, Dean of Ripon Cathedral, says the building needs new facilities; the carved rabbits in the quire were said to have inspired Lewis Carroll; the crypt is all that remains of a 7th century basilica.