I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who helped me with the event for your hard work - especially moving all the nave chairs! And also a big thank you to those who supported me by actually attending the event. I hope you found it useful, and will come again next year!

Charlotte Scott, Community Outreach Officer

The one off evening with Simon Callow and Stephen Fry attracted a capacity audience at the Theatre Royal in Norwich and the great figure raised came from ticket and program sales and a collection after the performance.

Before the performance Fry and Callow visited the Cathedral to have a look at the Inspiration for the Future building development and enjoy a short tour of the cloisters. They also had tea with Bishop Graham.

The labyrinth is a symbol of a journey. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has one set route only, with no deviations or detours. The idea of a labyrinth is set deeply within the Christian tradition. It contains the idea of making a spiritual journey. On the way into the centre a person travels, seeking to ask forgiveness for past sins so that there may be a renewal of faith and hope. Once in the centre the pilgrim can pause, take stock and reflect. And then stepping out on the return journey there is a time to seek God's grace and strength, a time of illumination and renewing of vision.

Throughout the 50 years of her reign the Queen has made countless journeys around the world. It seems especially appropriate that this should be our Jubilee Memorial after her 50 years of service to our nation and the Commonwealth.

The most famous labyrinth in Western Europe is the one at Chartres Cathedral in France. There are two modern versions at Grace Cathedral, San Fransisco.

Many other activities took place including dressing up in costumes, medieval calligraphy and Tudor food in the Cathedral restaurant. There was opportunity to join in as the Civil War soldiers muster in the Cloisters and seek new recruits for the pike regiments.

Living History Week and a Journey Through Time Open Day are organised by Hands on the Past and Norwich Cathedral Education Department. They invite you to come to the Cathedral again in May 2004 to meet some of the characters who have helped shape the history of our city in one of its most important and beautiful buildings.

The event was marked by pouring a tankard of beer over the roof of the building, as is customary in these ceremonies. The beer, called Bowler Hat, is a new real ale which has been developed by the Holkham Estate in Norfolk - home to the Earls of Leicester.

R G Carter Ltd, a local contractor, began work in September 2002 and the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. The development is phase one of the Cathedral's £10 million Inspiration for the Future Campaign and includes a library extension and restaurant to enhance the welcome and learning opportunities the Cathedral offers to the wider community.

The new facilities will improve access for the local community and for the half million or more people who visit the Cathedral each year. A lift, together with leveling and adaptation of existing fabric, will open up the libraries, lavatories and restaurant for visitors including those with disabilities, the elderly and parents with very young children and pushchairs.

Stephen Platten, former Dean of Norwich, said "It is tremendously exciting to have reached this stage of the development. We are very grateful to everyone who has supported the project so far. Our attention is now firmly focused on the second stage of the project and the benefits it will offer to the wider community."

To date the campaign has raised well over £7 million in cash and pledges. Phase two of the project comprises a new education and visitor centre. Over 13,000 school children and students visit the Cathedral each year as part of the education program. The new facilities will enable the Cathedral to widen its educational activities, not only to increase the number of children visiting but also to encompass adult education and Lifelong Learning.

Historical facts about Topping Out
Topping out ceremonies are a tradition in the construction industry and date from as far back as 2700BC when the first stone building in Egypt - the Step Pyramid of King Zoer at Sakkara was completed. This was marked by a live plant to honour those who had died during the pyramid's construction. In 621BC the Romans celebrated the completion of the Pons Sublicus over the Tiber River with human sacrifices to the gods. By 700AD the Scandinavians marked the custom by hoisting an evergreen tree to the top of the structure as it reached its final height. In Renaissance times an evergreen tree was placed on the highest point of a completed building and a large festival, which sometimes lasted for weeks, then followed this ceremony. In more recent times it has been marked with beer being poured over the building when the highest structural point is reached. The Bowler Hat (or 'Coke Hat') was first worn by gamekeepers on the Holkham estate and still forms part of their uniform. The intention was to protect them from attack.

Thanks to the Holkham estate for the beer and the Adam & Eve Public House for the tankards.

The largest project undertaken adjacent to the Cathedral since Medieval times!

An architectural challenge has begun at Norwich Cathedral as builders start on phase one of the Inspiration for the Future conservation and development project.

The Campaign was launched in 1999 to raise £10 million to improve education and visitor facilities at the Cathedral
At the start of 2003 we have raised more than £7 million. The largest amount raised by any Cathedral outside London, without the support of Lottery Funds.

The money has come from individuals, businesses, Charitable Trusts, Parish Councils and events and is the result of tireless work of many hundreds of volunteers from across the County and wider region.

·The first part of the project - the extension to the historic library and new refectory - is now under construction. The roof is currently being fitted and the building is scheduled to be complete at the end of this year.

The second part of the project is the Education and Visitor Centre adjacent to the main entrance of the Cathedral. It will provide education and community facilities, a display and interpretive exhibition, a new shop and accommodation for the Cathedral Choirs.

This is the largest project undertaken adjacent to the Cathedral since Medieval times. In order to ensure that the new buildings complement the magnificence of the 900 year old Cathedral, Michael Hopkins, one of the country's finest contemporary architect is undertaking the design of the new buildings.

Stephen Platten, Dean of Norwich, said "The inspiration for the future campaign has already raised more than £7 million - two thirds of our target. Our efforts will now be focused on the next stage of the project - to expand the cathedral's educational program and to create learning opportunities for all ages."

Appointed in December 2002, Charlotte's role is to make the Cathedral more accessible to a wider range of people and try to improve access to and engagement with this beautiful and historic building in the heart of the city.

She will be creating a range of opportunities for the people of Norwich - from public events and learning activities to voluntary projects and work placements.

Funding for the three year 'Challenging Perceptions' project has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Carnegie Trust and the Chapter of Norwich Cathedral.

To find out more look at Community Outreach, in the Education and Outreach section.