A YEAR ago today (January 16), a Covid vaccination hub was opened in the historic setting of Salisbury Cathedral.

Patients aged 80 and above started receiving their first dose from the team at the Sarum South Primary Care Network.

Although, the cathedral is no longer being used as a vaccination hub the Journal takes a look back to when it launched.

David Halls, the director of music at Salisbury Cathedral, and John Challenger, Assistant Director of Music, provided music throughout the day on the famous Father Willis organ.

The songs played during the vaccination clinics were later made into an album.

The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury, said: “We are very proud of our involvement in the vaccination campaign. More than 35,000 jabs were administered within the Cathedral’s walls.

"It was a huge privilege for the team here to collaborate with colleagues from the NHS, and to witness at first hand the dedication and skill through which new hope was brought to our city."

Former Cathedral steeplejack Lynn Court was the first to receive a vaccination that day.

And 95-year-old Louis Godwin, a former RAF flight sergeant tail gunner who flew missions over Germany during the Second World War also received his first vaccination.

The cathedral stopped being used as a vaccine hub in May of last year. 

Sarum South Primary Care Network team delivered the final jabs in the cathedral on May 1, 2021.

ALSO READ: NHS team move to new vaccine venue as cathedral says goodbye

More than 35,000 people in the cathedral were vaccinated and around 1,600 people were vaccinated on its final day as a vaccination hub.

The final jab at Salisbury Cathedral was given to 58-year-old Gerard Henderson, administered by Dr Rob Hewetson.

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