CATHEDRAL Dean, The Very Reverend Dianna Gwilliams climbed Guildford Cathedral’s East Tower to visit and bless the building’s newest sculpture last Thursday.

Sculptor Nicholas Thompson’s ‘Madonna and Child’, is the latest in an illustrious line of contemporary sculpture for which the cathedral is renowned.

The dean donned hard hat to climb to the sculpture to give a special blessing as it begins its life exposed to the elements on Stag Hill.

Nicholas has been working on the project during December, January and February and concluded his commission last Friday.

The new sculpture represents the themes of sacrifice, hope, salvation and determination evoked by mothers who lost their sons in the Great War.

Nicholas said:“I have enjoyed the project - it has been physically and mentally challenging.

“It has been a great privilege to work in such lofty surroundings overlooking Guildford and the Surrey Downs and I have enjoyed that aspect of it very much. It is also very exciting to execute one’s own design in stone, and in such a prominent location on a building that I admire.”

The Dean, Dianna Gwilliams said: “It is a privilege to be able to build upon the artistic traditions established at Guildford Cathedral by sculptors such as Vernon Hill, Dennis Huntley and Eric Gill.

“This poignant image, created by Nicholas, is a welcomed addition and is a reflection of the importance placed on art at the cathedral.”