We welcomed the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral, The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopolus, to our Chicksgrove Quarry to select and bless the commemorative stone that will be part of the Salisbury 2020 celebrations of the 800th anniversary marking the foundation of Salisbury Cathedral and the development of the City. 

The Dean of Salisbury was joined by senior members of the Clergy and Gary Price, the Cathedral's Clerk of Works, to launch the stone on a symbolic journey from the quarry to Old Sarum and then to rest finally at the Cathedral. The stone will be blessed three times and all ten stonemasons currently working at the Cathedral will help to carve a commemorative message on the stone, and each will leave their own banker mark for posterity. There will be a special service on 25 April where the stone will be blessed and placed in the on the East end of the Cathedral as a 'time capsule' for future generations to enjoy. 

Our Chicksgrove stone is used for the repair and restoration of the Cathedral, and the selected commemorative stone is from the same seam that provided the original stones used to construct the 800-year-old building. 

James Hart, Commercial and Sales Director at Lovell Stone Group said:

“Lovell Stone Group are delighted to be part of this historical occasion marking the 800th anniversary of the laying the first foundation stone of Salisbury Cathedral. Our Chicksgrove limestone dates from the latter part of the Jurassic period, around 145 million years old, and has been used extensively in the renovation and restoration of Salisbury Cathedral. We are extremely proud to have the commemorative stone blessed by the Dean of Salisbury, The Very Reverend Canon Nicholas Papadopulos, and for Lovell Stone Group to play a small role in the lasting historical significance of this special celebration.

Photo credit: Thanks to Steve Parsons/PA Media for the use of the images.