June 6th, 2008
1:23pm Friday 6th June 2008
From the Durham County Advertiser 50 years ago. -
A reminder of how Durham Cathedral, which is in no way subsidised by the State, relieves the city council of a large part o fthe burden of preserving the beauties of the city, was given at the annual meeting of the Friends of the Cathedral.
Of the £1,600 which the Friends are to make over to the cathedral authorities during the coming year, £200 is to be devoted to preserving those parts of the rive bank which are within the cathedral grounds. It was suggested by one of the Friends that as the riverside walks are one of the city's main attractions, it might be a good idea to approach the council for a small grant.
There were murmurs of approval when the dean of Durham, the Very Rev JHS Wild, who presided, replied briefly, "I think that would require very careful consideration. A grant might entail a degree of interference. We think taht it is in the interests of the city that the banks remain in the full control of the Dean and Chapter."
The Very Rev JHS Wild explained that, in the next year, the dependence of the cathedral on the Friends would be increased.
In the past, the main purpose of the Friends has been to make the cathedral more beautiful," he said.
"Now , for the first time, rising costs have complelled your committee to ask that you help with repairs to the fabric of the cathedral."