A LEADING clergyman has signalled a new chapter in the history of a Darlington church - by unveiling a handmade bookcase.

The Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, dedicated the bookcase at St Cuthbert’s Church, in the town centre, on Tuesday (March 18) evening.

The bookcase was a gift from the Friends of St Cuthbert’s Church, to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee, which was in 2012.

Its unveiling marks the end of a three-year project by the Friends.

Gill Tiffin, chairwoman of the group, said: “There is already a mosaic floor to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria and the Friends thought it was appropriate to mark a second jubilee by giving a gift to the church - hence the bookcase.”

It will house the extra books that the church has collected over the years and means there to be somewhere to tidily store all the pieces of research that have been produced over the years.

The Dean was at the church to give an illustrated talk about his new book, Landscapes of Faith, which was the first volume placed in the bookcase.

The bookcase was made by Anthony Nixon, bespoke furniture makers in Barnard Castle. It includes 12 oak box files for easy storage and accessibility, as well as three pull-out shelves at the bottom.

The Friends is always looking for more members and organises several interesting talks and activities each year.