Tony Watkins

Frederick Gibberd had already won the competition for the new Liverpool Catholic Cathedral by the time I arrived in London in 1961. With my background in architecture as liturgy I was delighted to be able to join the team doing the working drawings, with particular responsibility for the bell-tower entry.

At Christmas everyone who was vying for the chance to do the stained glass for the cupola sent me stained glass rather than Christmas cards, and I brought a selection back to New Zealand.

Looking back I realised the entrance doors would influence the bronze casting I designed for the tabernacle in the chapel at St Mary's Convent, Ponsonby.