Local Emergency Services tell us what a dedicated chapel means to them
It's a space where people can gather and reflect on the lives of those who have served
Lincoln Cathedral's dedicated chapel receives support from the emergency workers its designed for. In the first of its kind, a space has been dedicated to the four emergency services Ambulance, Police, Fire and Rescue, and the National Health Service.
The chapel will be accessible to all, and welcome family and friends of those who have served.
Local emergency services, such as Fire and Rescue, and Police have been reacting to the opening of a chapel, dedicated to fallen friends and family of the services.
Andrew Morgan, the Chief Executive at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust says it has a lot of meaning:
"The fact that this gives families who've lost loved ones, somewhere to go to remember their loved ones, to know that other people have thought about them and created this chapel. But also for the rest of us who are still here, it gives us a space to, I suppose, escape sometimes, to reflect on what's happening, to think about friends and colleagues that we've lost but also be thankful of the things we still have."
The alter features a book of remembrance alongside a hand embroidered Altar Cloth, by the Cathedral Embroiders’ Guild.
Mark Baxter is the Chief Fire Officer at Lincoln Fire and Rescue, he says it's a privilege to see the alter:
"I think about some of the fire officers, over the years who unfortunately have lost their lives on a line of duty in particular, and the people they have left behind. Also, I think of my own family and what support they've given me throughout all of my career and I think it's really important that people can just remember how everybody else supports us to be able to support the communities"
Decorating the walls, there are also, four commissioned gilded panels, displaying each service’s crests, which are placed in the four arches of the chapel.
Chief Constable Chris Howard of Lincolnshire Police says it's a reminder for people:
"The fact that Police officers and Fire service and the Ambulance service actually put themselves in danger, day in, day out, to keep others safe. This just gives all of our members somewhere where they can come and reflect on that, remember the people you've really stepped up, and gone beyond and actually given their lives in service, and just be proud of what we do."
The chapel was opened within Lincoln Cathedral Monday afternoon, where a service was also held.