A FORMER apprentice at Durham Cathedral is becoming a Freeman of the City after qualifying as a joiner.

Peter Bennett has been taken on full time by the cathedral after completing a three year apprenticeship sponsored by Durham City Freemen.

He said: “I was doing joinery at New College Durham when I heard about the apprenticeship at Durham Cathedral, so I applied and was so pleased to be offered the place. I started on March 26, 2012, while continuing to study for my joinery qualification at college.”

Under the watchful supervision of Bob Matthews and Iain Wilmshurst, Peter began putting his training into practice on the job, carrying out tasks in general maintenance and repair at the cathedral and its properties as well as building a brand new gate for the riverbanks from scratch.

He qualified as a Level 3 Advanced Apprentice in Bench Joinery and was also awarded ‘Apprentice of the Year’ for joinery from New College Durham.

Joe McElwee, from the Durham City Freeman, said: “We were delighted to be able to fund the apprenticeship post at Durham Cathedral and because Peter has served his apprenticeship within the city walls, he is also eligible to become a Durham City Freeman, so we were pleased to offer him the chance to join us, which he will be doing at our next inauguration.”