The Very Reverend Dianna Gwilliams has announced that she will retire as Dean of Guildford at the end of her ten years of service in September 2023. She will have her last evensong on Sunday 17th September to mark her final day in the Diocese.
Dianna has had ten very enjoyable years serving the Diocese of Guildford, sitting on the Bishop of Guildford’s leadership team, and leading the work of Guildford Cathedral. She joined the Diocese in 2013 following 36 years in southeast London and has been a force for good not just for Diocesan schools but education and education governance in general.
Reflecting on one of the lesser-known achievements as Dean of Guildford, Dianna said “As an engineer by training I am particularly proud of all the work carried out to the Cathedral building - enabled by 250,000 tonnes of internal scaffolding – a mammoth project only made possible by my wonderful team of colleagues.”
During her time, the Cathedral has welcomed more than 100,000 children and young people through education programmes, school services and outreach, enabled the ordination of more than 120 priests and deacons, welcomed tens of thousands of visitors, hosted a variety of film crews, and provided the focus for the County of Surrey in times of sadness and of celebration, playing a full role as a vital part of the Guildford community.
Bishop Andrew, Bishop of Guildford, said, “I’m so grateful to Dean Dianna for her ten years of ministry at Guildford Cathedral. Much has been achieved during that time, including a superb restoration project which has greatly enhanced the welcome and beauty of this extraordinary building; and Dianna’s constant focus on glorifying Jesus has been an inspiration to many. She will be much missed, but we wish her God’s richest blessing as she moves into a well-deserved retirement.”
His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Mr Michael More-Molyneux said,
“Dianna in her 10 years as Dean of Guildford Cathedral has overseen many positive changes to life in the cathedral. Her work with schoolchildren and young people in encouraging them into the Cathedral is to be applauded. Her work with other faiths has been significant and developing further all the time. The Cathedral has played its part in large county services including our late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, embraced both within the Cathedral and the grounds.
The very great pressure that Covid put on the Cathedral and worshipping, should not be underestimated. During this time, the cathedral managed to keep its doors open, albeit with a considerable amount of additional work from the Cathedral team, led by Dianna. Her work with London Bridge was significant. One of her last projects has been the organising of bringing the Knife Angel to Guildford. It was Dianna’s drive and determination which brought this extraordinary sculpture to Guildford and made such a positive impression.
I am pleased that she will continue in her role as a Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey”.
Dianna will now take time to be with her family and remarked “I am so looking forward to being a more hands-on grandmother for my five delightful grandchildren and to be able to support my husband in his business.”
Note for editors:
Dean Dianna
The Very Reverend Dianna Gwilliams, DL was appointed the fifth Dean of Guildford in 2013. She was ordained priest in 1994. She was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey in 2021.
Dianna will continue to serve as a school governor and as Patron of HomeStart Guildford.
Further details can be found https://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/dean-of-guildford/
Guildford Cathedral
Guildford Cathedral is the newest Church of England Cathedral consecrated on a new site, and the only Cathedral dedicated to the Holy Spirit.
When WWII stopped the building process with the Cathedral partially completed, there were fears that the building would not be completed, and even talks of tearing down what was already built. But in an incredible display of support, thousands of individual bricks were bought by members of the public and community groups. Even Queen Elizabeth II joined in a bought and signed a brick. These simple gifts started the journey of the People’s Cathedral.
That support has been rewarded with a Cathedral that stands strong on Stag Hill, an instantly recognisable symbol of Guildford that can be seen from miles away, a symbol of hope and a sign of homecoming. Inside is a place of light and peace, used as both a place of worship and as a venue for the local community. The natural light that streams in highlights the open space and creates an atmosphere of stillness for all visitors. It is a space made possible by the people and used for the people.
This incredible building stands as a testament to what’s achievable when people pull together, from the passion, faith, and dedication to make this building happen in the 20th century, to today’s team who continue that dedication, faith, and mission to be Open to God, Open to All.
Guildford Diocese
Guildford is one of 42 dioceses which cover the whole of England. We have 159 parishes, 83 church schools and several hundred social and community projects, and our area includes two-thirds of Surrey (including Egham, Banstead, Dorking, and Farnham), parts of North East Hampshire (including Farnborough and Aldershot) one parish each in Sussex, and one in Greater London.
The diocese’s vision – Transforming Church, Transforming Lives – offers a vision of individuals and church communities working to transform the world around them.
For more details, please contact.
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Nicola Pratt, Head of Development at Guildford Cathedral on 01483 547 884 or by email headofdevelopment@guildford-cathedral.org
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Wendy Sleight, Head of Communications for the Diocese of Guildford on 07552 566953 or by email wendy.sleight@cofeguildford.org.uk
📸 Credit | Steve Porter