SEVERAL of the country’s leading artists, many with Kent connections, are supporting a major exhibition and sale of paintings at Canterbury Cathedral.

Called Houses of God, it will contain more than 150 paintings by artists including John Ward, John Doyle, Toby Ward, David Arbus, Charlotte Halliday, Charlotte Ward, Peter Kuhfeld, Alec Vickerman and Hubert Pragnell.

These will be of religious houses, great and small, from across the world. From the historic splendours of Venice to the tranquil beauty of the parish church, this exhibition is a celebration of architecture and inspiration through the ages.

It and the sale has been organised by John Doyle, a leading watercolourist and well-known local artist, in support of the Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal and he says it is a particular honour that the family of the late John Ward, the nationally acclaimed artist and Kent resident, have agreed to the inclusion of a number of his works in the exhibition. His children, Toby and Charlotte, will also be exhibiting.

Visitors will also see displays featuring the work of Canterbury Cathedral stonemasons and stained glass conservators, as well as items from the Cathedral’s historic archives.

Actor Sir Donald Sinden, historian Dr David Starkey and Mr Doyle will also be speaking at events which are open to the public.

Sir Donald will be hosting An evening with Donald Sinden on Wednesday, June 4. With his distinctive voice and commanding presence, he has been a star of stage, television and radio for seven decades. His credits range from Shakespeare productions to the sitcom Never The Twain and the BBC crime drama Judge John Deed.

Dr Starkey, one of the UK’s pre-eminent historians, will give a talk on Monday, June 9 called Why do we still have Cathedrals at all, where he will be discussing the role of Canterbury and other cathedrals through the centuries and their relevance today.

Mr Doyle will be giving a talk on Tuesday, May 27 about his journey, painting in St Augustine’s footsteps, from Rome to Canterbury.

Tickets for the talks are available by contacting the fund-raising office on 01227 865346.

The exhibition will be open from May 24 to June 14