Officers from Kent guarding contractor Ward Security were recently charged with providing security for a “priceless” manuscript that has previously been voted England’s best hidden treasure.
The Textus Roffensis, which belongs to Rochester Cathedral, is in Medway Council’s care and is usually kept in an archive strongroom at Strood Civic Centre.
But, for three days at the end of July, the document was on public display at Rochester Cathedral as part of an academic conference at the Medway Campus of the University of Kent, where delegates from all over the world met to discuss the manuscript and its impact on medieval history.
Usually kept in temperature and humidity-controlled conditions, the Textus was displayed in a special secure case – on loan from the British Library’s exhibitions team – and installed by Alison Cable, Medway Archivist, and her team.
“The first suggestion was to display the Textus in the local museum but we decided that the Cathedral was more appropriate and atmospheric and tied in with the whole theme of the conference that much better,” she said.
With the document having been valued at £5m since its last public outing seven years ago, insurance requirements demanded a 24-hour security provision. Ward Security came highly recommended and the Rochester-based firm was able to provide the necessary provision to satisfy all the insurance stipulations.
“As an archivist, you don’t really know the monetary value of many of the items – you’ll be aware of its historical value,” said Alison. “While we needed to have security provision in place to satisfy the insurance requirements, in reality, if the Textus was stolen, it would be impossible to replace, It is, in effect, priceless.”
The contract required 24-hour security, which saw Ward Security providing two officers to watch guard over the case during the day, and then one officer for the evening shift, who draw the short straw of having to spend the night in the crypt! “At least he had access to a kettle,” said Alison.
“The text was at its most vulnerable in the hand over process from the fine art courier to the cathedral, and then again at the end,” she said.
However, on this occasion, despite members of the public milling around, Ward Security’s officer were on hand to make sure the document was delivered safely back to the van. “It was quite a relief,” said Alison.
“The security provision was excellent,” she added. “The two officers Ward Security provided were extremely courteous and professional. They had to field a number of queries and comments from the public and by the sounds of it they acquitted themselves very well!”
