Presiding officer of the National Assembly for Wales, the Rt Hon the Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, was guest of honour at the official opening of the new diocesan offices and the extension to Esgobty in St Asaph on Thursday 13 May, Ascension Day.
Lord Elis-Thomas planted a tree in the grounds of the Cathedral, near the entrance to the new offices, to mark the occasion. He cut a ribbon at the door of the offices before being shown into the new building on the High Street of the city of St Asaph, where he talked to the artist Angie Hogg and photographer the Revd Terry Mart, both of whom have work on display in the offices, as well as staff and guests.
Diocesan Secretary Mrs Diane McCarthy, Head of administration for the Diocese of St Asaph, said, “We are really delighted with our new offices. I think a modern building helps to send a strong and confident message about the Church being ready for the present and the future; we are not just about the past. There are many benefits to having all the Administration team together in one place; communication is much easier, costs can be controlled more effectively and we can help one another out when things get really busy. It is also encouraging to see the meeting rooms being used regularly by many different groups from across the diocese.”
Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas said, “I am always delighted to have a reason to visit St Asaph and I think it is wonderful that the new offices face out to the Cathedral on one side and to the secular world of St Asaph High Street on the other. The quality of light throughout the building is very special and helps make this an inspiring and uplifting place to work and to visit.”
Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Dr Gregory Cameron, said at a reception afterwards, “On this occasion I want to thank those who had the vision of a renewed Diocesan Office and those who implemented the vision and brought it to completion. I also want to thank those who have enabled us today to celebrate the vision, especially the Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales. In all this, however, we remember that these fine buildings exist, not to allow us to do our work in comfort, which they do, but to assist us to carry forward the mission of bringing the Gospel, the good news, to the people of North East and Central Wales.”
