ARTISTS from the age of six upwards can compete to design new misericords for Exeter Cathedral.

The Modern Misericords project will complement conservation work to be carried out on the 49 examples in the back row of the choir stalls — carved in the mid-13th century, and one of the oldest surviving sets in England.

William Barsley, a traditional woodcarver, will create misericords from the winning designs in four categories: primary school, secondary school, college, and 18-plus. Entrants have a template to work on, and can submit their design on paper or online.

Their creations will be be brought to life as carved seats in the new Treasures Gallery exhibition space. Entrants are invited to give their design “a modern twist to make it unique to you. In your design, why not show an activity you enjoy, or something important to you?” Submission forms can be downloaded from the cathedral website.

The cathedral is working with the Meon Survey Partnership Ltd to produce digital scans that will record the precise condition of each seat. The work, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is part of the cathedral’s 2020 Development Appeal Project.