Cathedral time capsule project part of revamp

The cathedral in Peel closed for building works in August

People have been invited to write their name on a western cathedral's floor tiles to form a time capsule as part of a refurbishment project.

Cathedral Isle of Man in Peel closed in August for major works to "future-proof" the building, lay preacher Rosemary Clarke said.

Leaving a signature on the flooring, which will then be covered over, would be "a way of making your own mark" on the space, she said.

The project will be open to visitors between 09:00 and 18:00 GMT on Saturday.

Ms Clarke said: "We hope many people as would like to come and sign their names".

It would be "a way of making your own mark on a building that’s 140 years old - that might be there for hundreds of years", she said.

As part of the renovation, which will also see new automatic entrance doors installed, the cathedral floor has been levelled off and replaced entirely.

People can sign their name on terracotta tiles before they are covered over

During the signing session, residents will be able to leave their name on terracotta tiles laid over underfloor heating, which will then be covered by the top layer of limestone flagstones.

Donations made during the open day on Saturday will help to fund a kitchen and three accessible toilets, Ms Clarke said.

She said while £1.6m had been raised for the refurbishment project, a further £1.4m could be required to make the building "fit for the 21st Century" and "capable of being used as a community hub, as well as for worship".

The flooring is expected to be be completed by May, with the cathedral set to reopen once further works on the toilets have been completed.