Hundreds sign names for cathedral time capsule

Hundreds of people have signed their names on a cathedral's floor tiles as part of a time capsule project during the building's refurbishment.

As part of major works set to cost around £3m, the floor at Cathedral Isle of Man in Peel has been levelled off and replaced entirely.

Before a final layer of limestone flagstones is set to be laid, residents were invited to leave messages and designs on the terracotta tiles underneath.

Resident Fenella Costain, who wrote tributes to her parents, said it was "amazing" to think they would be part of the building for years to come.

Stars, hearts and portraits were drawn on tiles during Saturday's open day

Pupils from the nearby Peel Clothworkers' School were also given the chance to leave their names and drawings behind.

Teacher Amy Wheeler said it was a "really nice lasting legacy to link the cathedral to the school and to the children that were here".

She said it had given them "the opportunity to feel part of the community and part of this cathedral" and even though "they won’t be able to see them" they would know their designs were there.

The cathedral closed in August for the start of the renovations

Donations made during the open day on Saturday will go towards the renovation of the 140-year old building, which is set to include a kitchen, three accessible toilets and the installation of new automatic entrance doors.

Cathedral Dean Nigel Godfrey said the aim was to restore the building and enable it to "serve the present" for groups such as The Big Table Cafe and mum-and-baby classes, as well as for daily worship.

The upgrade would also involve moves towards "greener energy" to make the space "sustainable for the future", he said.

Dean Godfrey said the signing session was a way to invite people to chart the progress of the works and to say "this is your building, come and share it".