NELSON MANDELA OPENS SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL DEVELOPMENT, SATURDAY 28 APRIL

PRESS BRIEFING, TOUR AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY THURSDAY 26 APRIL

Members of the press are invited to apply for tickets for a very limited number of media places for the opening by Dr Nelson Mandela of Southwark Cathedral's new Millennium development on Saturday 28 April. After a service of thanksgiving and dedication in the Cathedral at 11.00, the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev Tom Butler, will bless the new precincts and Dr Mandela will open the doors and name a room in honour of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Rt Hon Chris Smith MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Chairman of the Millennium Commission, will also be present.

You are also warmly invited to a press briefing on Thursday 26 April and a tour of the new buildings, including the hi-tech inter-active visitors' exhibition. This will present an opportunity for photography which will not be possible at the formal opening. A press pack will also be available, with further information about the new project and the Grand Opening.

09.30 am Coffee and croissants in the new Refectory.
10.00 Briefing, Q and A's in the new Library by the Dean, the Very Rev Colin Slee.
10.15 Tour of the project.
10.45 Interviews with the Dean and with Ray Anderson, representing the Millennium Commission, and the architect, Richard Griffiths.
Please contact Rose Harding at the Cathedral (020-7367 6722) or Nina Baxter at the Millennium Commission (020-7880 7362) to arrange an interview.
Finish by 11.00.

On Saturday 28 April there will be limited access for a small number of places for reporters either in the Cathedral or in the courtyard where the opening ceremony takes place. TV and stills photography will be provided on pool basis. There will be limited camera space outside, covering either Dr Mandela's arrival or the formal opening in the courtyard. It is essential to apply for a pass for any of these places by midday Wednesday 25 April - to Rose Harding or Patrick Olivier (as below).

The development has been partly funded by a Millennium Commission Lottery grant. Archbishop Desmond Tutu launched the Cathedral's appeal for matching funding in April 1999. He had been a curate in the Diocese of Southwark while he pursued theological studies at King's College, London, so this was his Cathedral church.

Dr Mandela's 4-day UK visit is the launch of a month-long festival in London called Celebrate South Africa (Information: Charlotte, at Flagship, 020-7389 0537).

Additional information

The new resources at the Cathedral include: a Refectory, open to the public; a fine Library overlooking the Thames with specially commissioned stained glass by Ben Finn; teaching and seminar rooms; a Visitor Exhibition which is a hi-tech exploration of Southwark's colourful ecclesiastical and social history with commentary by Zoë Wanamaker, Peter Barker, Prunella Scales, Timothy West and Tommy Steele. The main entrance is through the North Doors, with engraving specially commissioned from Wendy Ramshaw OBE.

The Cathedral Education Centre which assists thousands of children every year now has an underground access past archaeological remains; choral training for children has been expanded by the establishment of a Girls' Choir to parallel the boys, drawn from all over London; the Cathedral itself has the stone restored, cleaned and architecturally lit and the entire churchyard area expanded and landscaped as a green space. Throughout the project resources to assist people with disabilities have been a high priority.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Rose Harding, Southwark Cathedral: 020-7367 6722.
Diocesan Communications Officer, Diocesan Office: 020-7939 9437.

Ends.

For further information contact: