Member Article

Gorton Monastery’s chairman honoured by Bolton University

Paul Griffiths DL, Chairman of The Monastery of St Francis & Gorton Trust, and last year’s High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, will be honoured with an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton at the Chancellor’s Installation Ceremony at Bolton Town Hall.

As co-founder of the St Francis and Gorton Monastery Trust which saved a near ruined Pugin designed Franciscan Church & Friary in Manchester, known as Gorton Monastery, Paul receives the Doctor of Arts for Services to the Community.

The new Chancellor, The Rt Hon Lord Justice Ryder, will be presenting a total of 19 people with honorary doctorates - each one acknowledging a decade in the University 190 year old history.

Paul, who served as an Altar boy at Gorton Monastery and grew up in that community in Manchester, enjoyed a 40 year career in the food industry, including senior management roles at ASDA and United Co-operatives and board appointments at Danish Bacon and Interlink Foods Plc.

A Non-Executive on the North-West Advisory Board of one of The Prince’s Charities, Business in The Community, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester in 2004, supporting the Lord-Lieutenant in the performance of his duties. Since 2006, Paul has helped create a unique heritage events venue and community resource with The Monastery officially the UK’s Best Unusual Venue.

In 2012, Paul was recognised as National Heritage Hero by the influential Heritage Alliance for his work at the Monastery. The Charity continues to seek funds and hopes to raise £1million in donations during 2014, and attract a £2million grant from Heritage Lottery Fund to complete the restoration of The Monastery- 21 years after the journey to save it first began.

Paul Griffiths, Chairman of The Monastery Manchester said: “I’m thrilled to be given this honorary doctorate, and in such a significant year for the University. It’s a real privilege and recognition of all the work done by the team of Monastery volunteers and staff over the past 17 years to save one of Greater Manchester’s most precious buildings and give it a new lease of life.

“These efforts continue as we strive to raise £1 million through our Angels Appeal to complete our work and deliver our community vision, which will secure the future of this place for generations to come.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .