Exeter Cathedral's Third Millennium Campaign receives Royal seal of approval
Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall have visited Exeter Cathedral for a special thanksgiving service to celebrate the success of its £8 million fundraising appeal.
Their Royal Highnesses spent time in the Cathedral this afternoon (Tuesday 26 February), meeting those who have supported The Third Millennium Campaign.
The aim of the Third Millennium Campaign was to help ensure that the Cathedral and its mission are sustained for the future. By preserving and conserving its past, as well as seeking new ways to enrich the experiences of all who visit the Cathedral, it’s hoped generations to come will get as much pleasure and spiritual comfort from it as many do today.
The Third Millennium Campaign has made this possible by raising £8 million to support three appeals: music, fabric, and the library and archives. The music appeal has supported and developed the Cathedral’s music; the fabric appeal has seen the building itself conserved and £1 million has been raised towards securing the future of the Cathedral’s historic books and manuscripts and improving access to its unique collections in the library and archives.
HRH The Prince of Wales is Patron of the Campaign and kindly visited the Cathedral in 2009 to mark the half way stage. The Duchess of Cornwall joined thousands of other visitors last July to view the 'Majesty' Flower Festival as part of the Cathedral's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Their Royal Highnesses were shown some of the treasures of the Cathedral including the now empty historic organ case, whose 4,000 pipes have gone for refurbishment, thanks to funds given by Campaign donors.
The historic Exeter Book, a 10th century collection of Anglo Saxon poetry was on display for the Royal visitors. £1 million has been raised towards securing the future of the historic books and manuscripts and improving access to the Cathedral's unique collections in the library and archives.
The highlight of the visit was a special thanksgiving service attended by the Cathedral's supporters and members of the public.
Sir Ian Amory, Campaign Chairman, said: "The success that we are celebrating is the culmination of a great Campaign to mobilise support for the Cathedral across the whole of Devon as well as further afield.
"The generosity of an enormous number of supporters from every quarter has been truly amazing and it is with gratitude and great delight that we can announce the achievement of reaching our target of £8million to benefit so many aspects of our Cathedral's purpose."
In his introduction to the service the Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Rev Jonathan Draper, thanked His Royal Highness for his patronage of the Campaign. He also spoke of the profound and moving commitment of those who have supported the work of the Cathedral, particularly during the past eight years.
Photos: James Millar / Metis Media
