GROUNDBREAKING AT ST MARTIN'S HOUSE

To Leicester Cathedral Visitor Centre this morning, for a reception to mark the beginning of work on St Martin's House.

Bishop Tim welcomes guests, explained the vision for St Martin's House, then introduces the following: Duncan Green (from Pick Everard, consultant architects to the project); Andrew Grainger (Chair of Construction Group); John Hallm (MD of Hallams). There then follow a few words from the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady Jennifer Gretton, and from the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Roger Blackmore.

Rev. Pete Hobson introduces a brief digital video presentation showing us what St Martin's House will look like when it's finished and opened, around this time next year.

We then move outside into Cathedral Square, where Bishop Tim unveils the new St Martin's House logo, leads us all in the Cathedral Square prayer, then climbs into a JCB to break the ground to mark the start of the project (as shown in the photo above). We then move back into the Cathedral Visitor Centre for refreshments and the chance to look over an exhibition about the project. Here's the text of the Cathedral Square prayer:

Lord our God

You breathe new life into your people

Inspire us as we develop Cathedral Square

So that it may be full of new life

Help us to make it a place of welcome,

A place where all people can flourish

A place of prayer, of laughter and of wonder,

A place which gives glory to you

Through Jesus Christ our Lord

Amen

Here's how this event was reported in the Leicester Mercury the next day (Tue 13 Apr):

Work to convert a former school into an outreach centre to help vulnerable people has begun. 

The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, marked the start of the project at Leicester Grammar School site, in Peacock Lane, yesterday. 

He described the moment as the beginning of a "major new chapter" for the cathedral. 

Conversion of the buildings into St Martin's House is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with an opening planned for spring 2011. 

It will be home to social outreach projects, a dance studio, song school and conference space, as well as catering facilities, toilets and a shop. A venue will be built in the former Grand Hall. 

Bishop Tim said: "The transformation of the grammar school into a place of Christian hospitality and welcome, reaching out to the most vulnerable in our society, is a very significant event in the life of our city." 

At the heart of the £3m project is a social outreach centre aimed at helping those people out work and not in any form of training or education. 

Bishop Tim said: "It is the job of the Christian community to serve the wider community, to reach out. 

"That is what we are called to do and this will mark a major chapter in that mission." 

Plans to transform the grammar school and the area around St Martin's were first announced in 2008. 

The diocese bought the school building later that year. 

The work is being funded by the Church and donors including Bardon Hill house-builder David Wilson and the Samworth family, who also co-sponsor Samworth Academy in Eyres Monsell. 

The area outside the cathedral is to be turned into a public square big enough to hold concerts for a crowd of 1,500. 

A third phase will see changes to the cathedral to open it to more natural light. 

The total project is expected to cost about £12m. 

Speaking at yesterday's official ceremony the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Jennifer, Lady Gretton, said: "With Leicester Grammar now in its new home, it is reassuring to know the heritage of this wonderful building will be preserved and put to very good use for the wider community." 

The centre has been designed by architects at Pick Everard and the work will be carried out by city builder Hallam's. 

Managing director John Hallam said: "This is a very exciting project."

Read BBC Leicester's report on this morning's event.