Yobs wreck 800 years of history

Nov 14 2003 By Jessica Shaughnessy Chester Chronicle

VIOLENT yobs have ended an 800-year-old tradition and forced expensive security measures on cash-strapped Chester Cathedral.

Now the Cathedral has had to fork out for CCTV cameras after yobs terrorised staff and tenants.

Following a disturbing attack on an employee, leading clergy have taken the desperate measure of bringing an ancient gate-locking ritual to an end.

The Dean of Chester, the Very Rev Dr Gordon McPhate, says CCTV coverage is vital but costly after the cathedral fell £700,000 short last year.

'The cathedral is desperately short of money, we are on the verge of being broke,' said Dr McPhate.

'But we are determined to safeguard our staff and those who live on the grounds.'

Although police intervention has resulted in an improvement, the cathedral has seen a series of incidents, mainly during evenings and weekends.

There have been reports of sex attacks, stolen purses and wallets are often found discarded and groups of vagrants congregate on the historic grounds, disturbing tenants and staff members who live in cathedral accommodation.

'They are faced with drug addicts and drunks sleeping on their doorsteps, shouting and demanding attention and discarded needles in front of their houses', said Dr McPhate.

And recently, an 800-year-old tradition was brought to an end after drunks threatened and verbally abused a verger as he tried to lock the Kaleyard Gate on Abbey Street.

The ancient ritual of closing the gate each evening has been going since Edward I allowed the Benedictine Monastery to install it so that they could access their fields of vegetables.

The gate was originally locked at dusk subject to the city's curfew to safeguard Chester from Welsh armies.

But Dr McPhate has decided the gate should remain open, so as not to put the vergers at risk, although he hopes it is just a temporary measure.

Along with estate managers, he has met with police and city council officials to discuss the problems and the option of CCTV surveillance.

Although Chester City Council will help install the cameras and the police will help to monitor them, the cathedral has to foot the bill.