City cathedral appoints new expert

A new archaeologist has been appointed at Lichfield Cathedral.

Kevin Blockley succeeds Dr Warwick Rodwell who has retired after 26 years as consultant archaeologist.

He is currently the managing director of Cambrian Archaeological Projects Limited in Powys and acts as consultant and project manager for major ecclesiastical projects throughout the UK.

These projects have included Salisbury Cathedral and St George's Chapel, Windsor plus Cardiff and Chepstow Castles.

Mr Blockley, who is also researching for a PhD in ecclesiastical archaeology at the University of Lampeter, said: "I am very excited about being appointed as the new archaeological consultant to Lichfield Cathedral.

"I have been a professional archaeologist for the past 33 years working on a wide variety of projects of all dates, but it is the ecclesiastical archaeology that has most inspired me.

"I am looking forward to working with the Dean and Chapter's team during the forthcoming restoration of the Lady Chapel.

Another aspect of the work that I will enjoy is education and interpretation to bring the historical development of the cathedral and its environs alive for visitors."

He will be heavily involved in phase two of Lichfield InSpires which will look to restore the north side of the cathedral and Lady Chapel.

Dr Rodwell began his professional life as a classical archaeologist working on the late prehistoric and Roman period in the mid-1960s and has since actively pursued a career in church archaeology for over 30 years, where he was heavily involved in its early development as a new discipline.

Dr Rodwell was also awarded the Frend Medal by the Society of Antiquaries for services to church archaeology in 1988. Dr Rodwell aims to publish some of his findings from Lichfield Cathedral.