Newport Cathedral Emergency Campaign

Rosemary Butler has invited Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones AM to visit key heritage sites in her constituency on Wednesday February 4th.

One of her main concerns is the difficulty facing fund raisers at Newport Cathedral, because of lottery money being diverted to London to pay for the 2012 London Olympics.

So far £0.5m has been raised to carry out urgent repairs to the roof, but another £0.75m is needed. Emergency work on the South Porch has already been completed at a cost of £70,000.

“I am a great supporter of the Olympics,” says Mrs Butler, “but Newport Cathedral is one of the most important historic buildings in Wales, and it really needs all the help it can get. If we can’t get money from the lottery then we have to look closer to home.”

“I’m sure the minister will be impressed by what he sees and we’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed.”

It will be the minister’s first official visit to Newport since he was appointed and the Cathedral authorities are also hoping that he can help.

Welcoming the news of the visit the Dean of Newport, Very Revd Dr Richard Fenwick said, “The timing could not be more opportune . We have just been advised by our architect that the roof is in a critical state and we will need the support of the Welsh Assembly Government through its agency CADW, and others, to ensure that restoration work can start very soon to safeguard the Cathedral.”

After Newport the Minister will go to Caerleon where the National Museums and Galleries of Wales are responsible for the Roman Legionary Museum, and CADW runs the Roman Baths, the Amphitheatre and other Roman attractions. He will tour the various sites and be given an update on recent developments. All the Roman sites in Caerleon now operate a free entry scheme thanks to decisions by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Note for Editors:
The minister will arrive at Newport Cathedral at 9.40am and reach Caerleon’s Legionary Museum at about 10.15 am
Ends

Contact:
Max Perkins
Office of Rosemary Butler
National Assembly Member for Newport West
02920898528
07767815932

Fr. Mark Soady
Newport Cathedral Restoration Campaign Spokesman
Newport Cathedral Emergency Campaign Media Contacts