In a busy workshop down a leafy lane in the cathedral city of St Albans, two highly-skilled cabinet makers are hard at work on one of the most important and potentially historical commissions they have tackled in their many years of furniture making.

Surrounded by machines, chisels and everything else connected with their work, Duncan Gorton and Andrew Farnham are midway through what they describe as an exciting project, which will be fit for a Queen!

The cabinet they are making will house a memorial book , in St Bride's , for journalists, and will be a permanent reminder of 'those who have died in the line of duty, as well as a memorial to the courage of those who bring us the news, and who have paid the ultimate price,' says the Rector, Canon David Meara.

When the Queen and Prince Philip return to the church in November for a special service of thanksgiving to mark the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the building after World War II bombing, they will be given the opportunity to inspect this new addition to the fabric of this great Wren building.

Duncan, a 69-year-old former medical practitioner and Andrew (68), a research scientist at Rothampsted, Hertfordshire, agricultural research station, have gone to great lengths to ensure that the cabinet is very sympathetic to Wren's fine building, as well as the furnishings within it. They have visited the church on a number of occasions, carefully studied the furnishings and are determined to complete a job which will enhance even further, the beauty of St Bride's.

The material they carefully selected is the finest quality English oak from Hertfordshire, which has been kiln dried and stored for eight years before it can be used.