Cathedral Summer Fete Celebrates Jubilee and Successful Lego Raffle
The Cathedral of St John the Baptist welcomed parishioners, families and visitors to its annual Summer Fete on Saturday 11th July, as celebrations took place to mark the Diocese’s 50th Golden Jubilee.
The Cathedral gardens were transformed into a vibrant community event, with guests enjoying a barbecue, garden games, a bottle tombola, and refreshments throughout the afternoon. The bouncy castle proved especially popular with younger visitors, while glasses of Pimm’s helped keep everyone refreshed as the celebrations continued.
One of the day’s highlights was the eagerly anticipated draw for the two Lego Notre-Dame de Paris sets, which had been generously donated by Ross and Jenny Mason to raise funds for the Cathedral’s stained-glass window restoration project.
Congratulations to the two lucky winners, parishioner and Cathedral volunteer Jean Scotter and Cathedral shop volunteer Simon Chapman, who each took home one of the sought-after Lego sets. Both winners are dedicated volunteers who contribute greatly to the life of the Cathedral.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Ross and Jenny Mason, together with the fantastic support of parishioners, visitors and the wider public, the raffle raised an impressive £1,601.15 for the Cathedral’s stained-glass window restoration fund.
The funds will contribute towards the vital conservation work needed to preserve the Cathedral’s historic stained-glass windows. Restoration work remains ongoing, with each window costing approximately £30,000 to repair, meaning continued fundraising is essential to safeguard these treasured works of art for future generations.
The Cathedral extends its sincere thanks to everyone who purchased raffle tickets, attended the Summer Fete, volunteered their time, or supported the restoration appeal. Every contribution helps protect the Cathedral’s rich heritage and ensures its beautiful stained-glass windows continue to inspire visitors and worshippers alike.
If you would like to support the stained-glass window restoration fund, donations can be made online using the link below or via the Cathedral’s Dona donation machines.