Former Dean of Carlisle receives MBE in New Years Honours list

The former Dean of Carlisle, who held his post for 18 years before retirement, has been awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours list.

The award comes as part of Mark Christopher Boyling MBE 'extraordinary leadership and commitment' to deliver the multi-million pound Fratry Project at the cathedral as well as his work during the coronavirus pandemic.

The work at the Cathedral was began in a bid to help the sitea much wider audience, by striving to improve access to many people.

It has been opened up to many young people, including those from the local Trinity School since it's opening as a cafe and education centre.

Mr Boyling said: "When I moved here in 2004 I picked up a feeling that something must be done about the fratry building at the cathedral. It was a liability really when it could be a great asset.

"So we started the project really to try to restore that building and make it accessible to people and make it much more attractive to people.

"I suppose the biggest issue of all was physical access to the building. It had a very awkward staircase, it was uneven. It was always very difficult and was actually quite dangerous for some people.

"We had to address how do we get into this building safely."

And now, as he receives his award, he said: "I suppose what came into my mind I though here is our chance to revisit how the cathedral was able to connect with the people of the city. This was an asset.

The project would continue for almost all of Mr Boyling's tenure as the Dean.