Chester Memories: Stonemason's stalwart service to cathedral

By Chester Chronicle on Dec 1, 09 04:22 PM in 1900-1999

TRIBUTES have been paid to a stonemason who helped maintain and look after Chester Cathedral for more than 50 years.

Jim Cadman MBE, of Greenbank Road, Chester, died at the age of 91 on October 29 this year.

He spent the majority of his life looking after Chester Cathedral and its surrounding buildings including the Georgian and listed properties in Abbey Square, properties in Northgate Street and the old King's School.

Jim took over the WH Haswell and Son stonemasons from his father who was the clerk of the works - a position that was later bestowed on him when he left the army after the war.

Peter Hebbelwhite, lay clerk in the cathedral maintenance department, said: "He looked after the whole estate and it was a paradise of buildings to study and maintain for those of us with a love of architecture."

One of the most memorable jobs Jim undertook was helping to remove nine of the ten bells from Chester Cathedral when it was deemed the wooden structure that held them in place had become too old and unsafe. He had to manage the removal of the heavy bells in 1969 which were then sent away, melted down and remoulded. He then had to see they were safely put in the new bell tower in 1973.

Jim retired in 1985 in his 70s but was retained as an advisor when the dean and chapter recommended him for an MBE.

Jim was also a sportsman, he was a county tennis player and later a selector. He was secretary of Hoole Tennis Club for many years.

He was also a mean table tennis player and played with the current world champion Victor Barnes at that time.

Mr Hebblewhite said: "Jim was instrumental in teaching so many young and not so young people tennis including his own three sons.

"As Christopher Wren remarked 'If you seek a memorial look around you'. I think Jim deserves a memorial for his 50 years and more at the cathedral for the very same reason - he kept the place safe and water tight at a time, for many years immediately after the war, when timber and building materials were scarce and on permit."

Jim's knowledge of stonemasonry and medieval joinery was so impressive that he was often called upon by other firms for his experience.

Mr Hebbelwhite said: "After his family, his principle love was the upkeep and maintenance of Chester Cathedral ."

The picture shows Jim Cadman, front, overseeing the bringing down one of the bells of Chester Cathedral in 1969, with Peter Hebbelwhite at the back.