Ceiling is height of beauty
A CEREMONY at St Edmundsbury Cathedral took place 150ft above the ground yesterday to mark the completion of a new vaulted ceiling.
Jonathan Schofield
A CEREMONY at St Edmundsbury Cathedral took place 150ft above the ground yesterday to mark the completion of a new vaulted ceiling.
Perched on a temporary platform at the top of the cathedral's tower, the Bishop of St Edmundsbury, the Rt Rev Nigel Stock, blessed the ceiling, describing the moment as a wonderful completion of the town's Millenium Project.
During a service to a small congregation, including the Mayor of St Edmundsbury Pat Warby, he said: “This is a unique moment. Few people will ever stand so close to this ceiling and it is a great honour to be here. It's hard to imagine that after this people will only see this incredible ceiling from 150ft below us.”
The ceiling was the final stage in the cathedral's building project which included the construction of the tower completed in 2005.
The acting Dean of St Edmundsbury Michael Hampel said: “A year ago we did not think this was going to happen. To be standing here is a truly magnificent moment.”
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The vaulted ceiling has been constructed with six tonnes of Italian Oak, using more than 3,000 components. Architects, Freeland Rees Roberts, from Cambridge, came up with the design which was painted in 24 carat gold leaf paint and heraldic colours.
Mrs Warby said it was the highlight of her year as mayor.
She said: “It is an absolute privilege to be here and part of this. To be standing at the top of the tower under this incredible ceiling, I'm certain it must stand as the best millennium project in the country.”
