Cathedral lit up for first time

9:15am Monday 17th March 2008

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SALISBURY Cathedral's new state-of-the-art lighting system has been switched on for the first time.

Work began on replacing the complete lighting systems of the interior, the cloisters and the exterior of the cathedral in March 2006 and was finally completed this month.

Speaking at the official switch on, Mark Bonney, Canon treasurer, said: "We are delighted with the new lighting scheme which reveals an enhanced new look, showing the cathedral's architecture and architectural features to such great effect.

"At the same time, they give the cathedral considerable flexibility inside the building and a far more efficient and uniform approach outside. We are enormously grateful to the Friends of Salisbury Cathedral for their financial support for this project which enhances the cathedral so splendidly, particularly as it is completed this year as we celebrate the 750th anniversary of the dedication of the building in 1258."

London based design consultants Light + Design Associates were appointed initially to devise the interior lighting; based on that success, they were further invited to create the new lighting for the cloisters and the exterior of the cathedral.

James Morse, the founding Partner of the practice, said, "There are three cornerstones to the design. First and foremost, the lighting had to show off the cathedral's magnificent architectural features to their best advantage. Secondly, we had to significantly reduce energy use (reduced from 20 kilowatts to approximately 13 kilowatts). Thirdly, we had to minimise night-time light pollution."

The entire lighting system is controlled from one single panel, hugely simplifying the old lighting controls. The sophisticated control system allows the controller great flexibility to create different lighting effects as necessary and enabling different sections of the cathedral to be illuminated.