As part of the year of celebrations to mark the 700th anniversary of the canonisation of St Thomas Cantilupe, the Booth Porch has been furnished with new liturgical furniture and artwork.  

The Booth Porch chapel is located above the main entrance to the cathedral and has strong historical associations with pilgrimage. It is believed that pilgrims entered the chapel via one of the staircases, located within the turrets, and descended via the other. Inside the chapel there are the remains of two niches in which, it is believed, were placed images of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On Friday 2 October, following a special eucharist within the cathedral nave for all to attend, the Bishop of Hereford dedicated the new furniture within the Booth Porch.

The Very Revd Michael Tavinor, Dean of Hereford, said: ‘The Booth porch chapel has been a lovely development, even in the midst of difficult times, and I hope and pray that the time will come when it can be used by us all. It has a wonderful, peaceful atmosphere and is filled with light. The new furniture speaks volumes for the highest standards of craftsmanship, and the paintings, metalwork and woodwork enhance this lovely space’.

With thanks to the contractors who have worked on the Booth Porch:

• Dominic Edmunds and team of Design Carpentry & Joinery who produced the benches, altar and candlesticks
• Dan Bond and team of DB Ironworks Ltd who produced the spiral staircase hand rails
• Simon Hudson and team of Hudson Stonework Ltd who improved the floor tiling
• Mario D’Avanzo of Electrics MD who installed the new lighting scheme
• Canon Sandy Elliott for the banner artwork
• Robert Kilgour of RKA Architects for the furniture design

Due to current restrictions we are not able to open the Booth Porch as originally planned to visitors and pilgrims but hope to be able to do so in the future.

Photos: Gordon Taylor