THE word "nave" comes from the Latin for "ship"; so what could
be more appropriate than to have a boat laid up in the cathedral
nave to launch some serious fund-raising? The Precentor of
Wakefield Cathedral, Canon Andrea Hofbauer, and
the Assistant Organist, Simon Earl, together with his dog Rufus,
are preparing to sail round Lake Windermere this summer to raise
funds for Project 15, the cathedral's refurbishment programme.
"Simon and I are two landlubbers-turned-salty-seadogs who enjoy
spending time on our local lakes," Canon Hofbauer says. "Sailing
round Lake Windermere will be an exciting challenge which we are
enthusiastic to take on to help the fund-raising push to renew the
east end of our beautiful cathedral.
"[The past two years have brought] the redevelopment of our
nave, and we now invite the people of Wakefield and beyond to
become part of that great project to complete the renewal of this
iconic building."
The Chapter needs £2.2 million, and is preparing a Heritage
Lottery bid after securing a first-round pass at the end of last
year. Project 15 is to clean the walls at the east end, renew the
lighting and electrics, level the floor, renew St Mark's chapel,
and create a quiet area for those who simply want to light a candle
and sit. Part of the project is also to renew the music area below
the vestry.