Cathedral gift pack: Proof is in the pudding
I WOULD like to respond to a letter by Keith Parkins (January 17) concerning the gift pack that has been produced by Lincoln Cathedral, Lincolnshire Co-operative and Ruddocks.
First of all, can I say how much I agree with Mr Parkins that it is a stylish product and that one element of it, the photo album, is 'one of the best available on the cathedral'?
It has two other elements, a re-usable shopping bag decorated with the cathedral logo and a free annual pass... all for £9.99!
Mr Parkins complains that it has not been well-publicised and that its availability has been limited. I have to disagree with his assessment. It was launched by the Dean of Lincoln and the media covered this very well, not least the Echo. It has also been promoted on the cathedral's website.
Of course, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and Mr Parkins will be pleased to know that sales have been very good and that the initiative has brought much-needed additional funding to the cathedral.
For me, the best thing about this gift pack is that it represents a growing partnership between the cathedral and Lincolnshire Co-op. Revenue from the initiative comes to the cathedral and we are grateful.
Finally, the gift pack is not just for Christmas but for birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions. If you are proud of your cathedral and want to give a gift reflecting that, packs are available direct from the cathedral – telephone Sally Crawford on (01522) 561626.
We are also hoping to have them back in selected Co-op stores in the Lincoln area by the start of March.
ROY BENTHAM Chief Executive, Lincoln Cathedral.
Comments
by Keith Parkins, Farnborough
Wednesday, February 04 2009, 3:43PM
“Roy Bentham appears to have completely missed the point I was making.
Roy Bentham claims I criticised the publicity surrounding Capturing Lincoln Cathedral. I did not, my concern was the unsuitable venue used for the book launch, especially when there were more suitable venues for a book launch, and the lack of availability of the book.
I could find the book nowhere, and it was not for lack of looking. It was not in bookshops, not in Tourist Information Centres, not in the Museum gift shop, not even in the Cathedral's own gift shop.
Roy Bentham claims good sales figures. A meaningless statement when no figures are provided. I wish to see number of books sold, net profit after all costs have been accounted for.
Lincoln sees many visitors, attracted by the Castle, Cathedral and historic parts. Pause and reflect how many copies of Capturing Lincoln Cathedral would have been sold had visitors been able to come across the book in all the obvious places one would have expected to find it.
No explanation from Roy Bentham why the book has been withdrawn from sale, or why it is restricted to selected Coops, not the obvious place to find or look for a book on Lincoln Cathedral. Or why it will not be available even in these selected locations until March.
I said the book was stylish, not the product, by which I assume he means the gift pack, which was anything but stylish.
The presentation gift pack leaves much to be desired. It is not at all obvious what the pack contains, it could be a tea towel. A book of this calibre does not need the gimmick of a gift pack. The book would sell on its own merit.
Roy Bentham speaks of building a relationship with the Coop. I would have hoped the objective was to raise money for the Cathedral and to make as widely available as possible an excellent book on the Cathedral.
It saddens me that Roy Bentham is not prepared to listen to constructive criticism.
This is a book that would sell and sell and sell for years to come, go through many print runs, if it was handled properly.”