An introduction to The Company of St. Peter 

In 1996 an Appeal was launched to raise £7.3 million to carry out essential repairs to the fabric of

the Cathedral.  It was realised that, because of the large sum involved, all routine maintenance should be kept to a minimum and all other expenditure kept under strict control so that all efforts would be concentrated on the Appeal.

I'm glad to say that, due largely to the driving energy of Sir Stephen Hastings and his team; by the end of 2000 the required sum had been achieved. The projects included the restoration of the Nave Ceiling, Phase I of the replacement of the Tesserae Pavement and a number of other important repairs in and around the Cathedral. A kev project of creating Beckets (the new restaurant), the bookshop and what is now the Tourist Information Centre, along with the refurbishment of the flats in the Western Range, was also achieved. Also as part of the Appeal, a Music Endowment Fund of over £1,000,000 was raised to help secure the future of

the Cathedral's music.

As the Appeal progressed, a longer term study was carried out to ascertain the extent of the funds required to keep the vast collection of houses and other buildings in the Cathedral Precincts in a reasonable state of repair, along with a number of projects to help maintain and develop the worship and mission of the Cathedral. Maintaining the Cathedral and its Precinct buildings as well as its worship and ministry is a very expensive affair.  To build on the achievement of the Appeal as I have outlined is estimated to  take an additional £500,000 per year.

A study came up with the proposal to form an organisation to be called The Company of St. Peter which would enable those who wished to give financial support, to participate in various aspects of the Cathedral life.

There will be something for everyone. Membership will confer special privileges as regards visits, lectures, dinners and general participation in the ecclesiastical and lay functions of the Church. I would urge all of you to support this initiative which should help  not  only  to  provide  financial  security  for  this magnificent building and its long rich heritage, but also to promote a wide interest in all its activities.

Sir Jock Kennedy, Chairman,

The Peterborough Cathedral Development and Preservation Trust