The cathedral hosted a packed weekend of events to mark the 900th anniversary of its consecration and also the 50th anniversary of the death of Chichester's celebrated war-time Bishop, George Bell.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, spent the entire weekend in Chichester, participating in all the cathedral's services and events.

Some 700 people attended a service of thanksgiving for the cathedral's 900 years, including guests from partner churches throughout Europe plus county and civic dignitaries.

The Very Rev Nicholas Frayling, the Dean of Chichester, spoke of his pleasure in celebrating the 'first' 900 years of the cathedral and gave a special welcome to the representatives from Sussex parishes.

"This is an occasion chiefly for our diocese, of which the cathedral has for so many centuries been a mother church," he said.

After the service the entire congregation was invited to a reception in a marquee on the Cathedral Green where many got to meet the Archbishop.
The celebrations on Saturday included a birthday party with puppets, dancing, gargoyle-making and many other activities for children.

Crowds gathered to see the Archbishop cut a spectacular cake made by cathedral chef David Heath and Chichester College.

The cake – a replica of the Cathedral – took David weeks to make, working meticulously from architectural plans of the building.

In a change of tone, the Archbishop went on to field a question-and-answer session in the cathedral for an hour, where visitors had the opportunity to speak to him directly.

The celebrations focused on George Bell and around 800 people came to a Sung Eucharist in celebration of Bell and to hear the Archbishop preach.

The Archbishop began the service by dedicating George Bell House, a former archdeaconry in Canon Lane now newly restored as a 'centre for vocation, education and reconciliation'.

"May the vision and tradition of Bishop George Bell be always honoured in this place and may all who come here receive grace to work for peace and justice," said the Archbishop.


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