Ancient Stones, Untold Stories
Interpretation Manager Annie Harvey reports on new interactive interpretation for the Cathedral's many visitors. Featured in The Friends of Rochester Cathedral Annual Report for 2009-2010.
Rochester Cathedral is blessed with some 150,000 visitors a year, all of whom are welcomed warmlv by the volunteers who man the building, acting as hosts on a day-to-day basis at services and at various events.
Last year the significance of the Cathedral's rich heritage and spiritual history was recognised by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with a grant to Rochester Cathedral of £932,000. This, combined with a significant contribution from the Association of the Friends of Rochester Cathedral, enabled a project called Ancient Stones, Untold Stories to begin. Designed to widen access for all, the project comprises new facilities and activities within the Cathedral which enhance an individual's experience of the building.
In Sacred Britain¹, Peter Bembridge ably describes the need for this:
Churches and cathedrals are such a familiar part of our landscape that it is possible to take them for granted. For many visitors they remain a mystery, merely a part of the quintessential picture-postcard view. They do, however, make a vital contribution to Britain's heritage, attractiveness and economy. Moreover, these sacred spaces are integral to the story of the places and communities within which they have evolved. They are signposts of our heritage, points where you can touch history, as well as places of visual and spiritual wonder.
The Welcome Desk and furniture in the North Nave Transept.
Visitors now benefit from three audio tours catering for diverse needs - from those of families and individuals, to those seeking a more spiritual interaction with the Cathedral. These are synchronised with an innovative, projected exhibition which provides a visual history of some of the hidden gems in the Cathedral: the 14th Century Wheel of Fortune painting being among them. There are versions of the tour for the hearing and visually impaired, and the general tour is translated into a number of different languages for our overseas guests.
Rochester Cathedral Audio Tour
Rochester Cathedral Audio Tour is now available freely online in English, French, German, Spanish and Mandarin. Reflective, Family and tours for Visually Imparised Persons are also available.
The points of interest on the audio tours are highlighted by free-standing Interpretive Panels, which visitors can use independently of the audio guides if they prefer to find their own way in their own time.
New self-guiding leaflets (in a variety of languages) help one's orientation within the building and a brand new Guidebook (now available in German, French and Spanish) enables visitors to take their experiences of Rochester home with them to share with friends and family.
Ancient Stones, Untold Stories was the initial phase of the Hidden Treasure, Fresh Expressions Project.
Hidden Treasures, Fresh Expressions, 2012-2016
The Hidden Treasures, Fresh Expressions Project 2012-2016 engaged the University of Manchester in the production of a high-quality digital facsimile of Textus, a bespoke exhibition area in the Cathedral crypt, and study and handling copies for the refurbished Chapter Library.
The North Transept desk enhances the welcome into the Cathedral and both the North and West Doors will, in time, have glazed inner porches enabling them to be fully open during Cathedral opening hours. All in all, entry into the Cathedral has been made much more welcoming and inviting!
The opportunity was taken to consolidate a number of disparate elements within the old floor layout and both the shop and the Friends are now represented at the main point of entry. Additionally, around 40 new Welcomers have been recruited and added to the rota, many of whom are Friends, thereby reinforcing the Cathedral's long-standing relationship with its Friends' Association.
Annie Harvey
Interpretation Manager
Footnotes
1 SACRED BRITAIN: Places of worship and the tourism destination experience, Peter Bembridge, Managin Director, The Civic Trust and Chairman of the Sacred Britain Working Group. Published by The Churches Conservation Trust and The Churches Tourism Association, with the support of VisitBritain.
The Cathedral hosts several large exhibitions and smaller installations each year from education to art and everything in between.