PEOPLE are being given the chance to make their mark on the fabric of Salisbury’s most iconic building.

Salisbury Cathedral launched its new Sponsor a Stone scheme at an event at Sarum College on Thursday, giving sponsors the opportunity to have their initials carved on one of the 300 stones the building’s stonemasons are working on this winter.

When the stone is placed in the building in the spring, donors will receive a map and plan showing the location of their particular stone. Prices range from £500 to £7,800 and all the money will go to the cathedral’s major repair programme.

“We are now within touching distance of completing one of the longest and most sustained repair programmes of any medieval cathedral,” said development director Martin Field.

“By 2018 this 30-year undertaking will come to an end. There are a number of time capsules buried in parts of the cathedral as repair work has been completed over the years. Now our stone sponsorship gives individuals a unique opportunity to leave their mark on the building alongside the craftsmen who originally built it.”

At Thursday’s event, clerk of works Gary Price, who started his working life cutting stones for the cathedral’s Save our Spire appeal 25 years ago, spoke about the traditional crafts and skills that were needed to build the cathedral.

Christian Sullivan, the latest in a long line of apprentice stonemasons stretching back over 750 years, is in the second year of his five-year apprenticeship leading to a degree. A stone bird bath that he designed and made as one of his masterpieces was auctioned and raised £700.

For further information about sponsoring a stone contact Jilly Wright j.wright@salcath.co.uk.