Indoor Abseil 2017 - we regret to announce the cancellation of this event

News
- Fri 27th, January

After taking professional advice and in consultation with Chapter, Liverpool Cathedral is reluctantly having to cancel the indoor abseil that was to take place on February 18th and the 25th.

The Dean of Liverpool, The Very Reverend Dr Pete Wilcox, made the following statement

I am sorry to say that after taking professional advice and in consultation with Chapter, Liverpool Cathedral is reluctantly having to cancel the indoor abseil that was to take place on February 18th and the  25th. I realise this will be very disappointing news for all those charities and individuals who had been looking to, and raising money to take part in this event. We have contacted all those directly affected  and will work with them to minimise the disruption and inconvenience.

With safety a paramount concern in our minds, our checking process in the run up to the event revealed some damage to the fabric of the building caused by the successful first indoor abseil in 2016.  After a careful examination of the area and consultation with experts, it was clear we could not successfully secure the scaffolding for this year’s event in a way that wouldn’t cause further damage to the    cathedral fabric. As responsible custodians of a Grade 1 listed building, seeking to raise funding to entrust the cathedral to future generations, we could not allow that to happen.  

We find ourselves faced with a dilemma: the only way to guarantee the safety of participants in the abseil involves an unacceptable degree of damage to the building; but to avoid that damage involves  an  absolutely unacceptable level of risk to participants in the abseil.  We have not been able to find a way to balance these risks in an acceptable way. 

This decision will not affect the summer outdoor abseil. I have asked for experts to check and we are happy to confirm that this can go ahead as planned.

I am sorry that we have had to make this decision and make it so close to the event but we are sure people will understand the reasons and we remain committed to working with our partners and  supporters on a range of events and activities.

If you have any queries about the cancellation of this event, please contact Stuart Haynes, Director of Communications.

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