Communities minister visits Chichester Cathedral

Lord Bourne, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government, with Dean of Chichester, the Very Rev. Stephen Waite.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State took a tour of the historic building with Dean of Chichester Stephen Waine as part of his efforts to highlight the work of the UK’s 42 cathedrals.

Speaking today, Lord Bourne said he had been keen to visit Chichester to find out about community projects at the centuries-old place of worship.

“Chichester is a stunning cathedral, you come into the city and you can’t miss it and the significant role it has,” he said.

“It’s important the role that the cathedral has here in relation to homelessness and the Stonepillow charity, so they are very much part of the local community.”

As part of his tour, the minister noted the artwork installations around the building and the restoration work carried out using Heritage Lottery fund.

In his ministerial capacity, Lord Bourne is overseeing the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund and a sustainability review of English churches and cathedrals.

His visit to Chichester is the fifth cathedral he has seen so far, following a tour of Portsmouth Cathedral earlier this morning.

Lord Bourne’s next port of call is Southampton, where he will visit a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls.