Development News

Southern Water Services Limited supports Rochester Cathedral

Rochester Cathedral derives its special character from the quality of its medieval architecture (from c1080) and an exceptional collection of surviving medieval and later wall paintings, tomb monuments, ledger stones and floor surfaces.

We have a small chapel called the St John Chapel, or Oratory, which is set aside for quite prayer and reflection.  It is used to remember those victims of human violence, throughout the ages and throughout the world.  There is a replica of the Coventry Cross, which was famously made from the medieval nails of Coventry Cathedral when it was destroyed by bombing in WW11. The crucifix displayed in this chapel was found lying on the battlefield at Salamanca after Wellingtons troops defeated the French in 1822.

The tiles that make up the threshold pavement in this chapel are probably some of the oldest in England, and have survived since they were laid during the 13th century. In 2006 they were subject to a restoration project funded by the Friends of Rochester Cathedral, but since then they have degraded once more. We had a proposal for a conservation flooring system called “Eyemats” which is a rubber backed floor mat which has been photographically imaged to capture the patina of stone so that an exact replica of the floor is produced. By the use of the “Eyemats”, visitors can see the medieval floor and can walk over it to gain access to the chapel, but the surface is protected for the future.

Southern Water Services Limited have very kindly agreed to fund this project. Beverley Thompson, Senior PR Manager of Southern Water is very pleased to be working with the Cathedral and we look forward to working with her going forward. Thank you so much Southern Water!