Dean of Lichfield to retire after 17 years

A peal of bells will ring out this month to mark the retirement of the Dean of Lichfield.

The Lichfield and Walsall Archdeaconry Society will ring a special peal of bells on Saturday 18 February 2023.

The Very Rev 'd Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield will be retiring on 31 March 2023, following 17-and-a-half years in the role.

During his time, Dean Adrian (pictured) has made an enduring impact on the Cathedral, its community, and cathedrals around the UK.

He led art programmes, restoration projects and new installations. Under his direction Lichfield Cathedral was the first cathedral to serve as a COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

A staunch advocate for Cathedrals, Dean Adrian took on the chairmanship of the Association of English Cathedrals (2015-2022), the National Cathedrals Conference (2018, 2022), and the group that produced the report 'Spiritual Capital - the present and future of English Cathedrals '.

He has worked to raise the profile of Cathedrals nationally and help Cathedrals understand the vital role they play.

His efforts to build better ecumenical relationships, saw him become an Ecumenical Scholar at Tantur Ecumenical Institute, and reinstatement of the Shrine of St Chad at Lichfield Cathedral.

The Dean 's last Sunday at the Cathedral will be Sunday 19 February when a thanksgiving service will be held at 3.30pm.

People can express their best wishes to Dean Adrian in the following ways:

• Sign the Book of Thanksgiving available in the Cathedral until 18 February during usual visiting hours. Messages can also be left online .
• A Peal of Bells will be dedicated to Dean Adrian on Saturday 18 February from 13:30�16:30 by Lichfield and Walsall Archdeaconry Society.
• Contributions to the Dean 's retirement gift will be gratefully received, more details of how to give can be found on the website.

Following Dean Adrian 's retirement on 31 March, The Right Reverend Jan McFarlane will take on the role of Acting Dean of Lichfield until a new Dean of Lichfield is appointed.

Bishop Michael Ipgrave said: “Adrian has served the cathedral, the wider community of Lichfield and our diocese with great commitment, faith and passion for the past 17 years and we will be sad to see him leave but happy for him in his well-earned retirement. We look forward to celebrating Adrian 's time in Lichfield on 19 February.

“I am very thankful to Bishop Jan for agreeing to be Acting Dean while the process to find Adrian 's successor gets underway. ”