worcester cathedral newsletter, summer 2014

Three Choirs Festival

Plus, full events calendar and details of regular Cathedral services

World War I Events

ThePilgrimReturns

NEWSWORCESTER CATHEDRAL

Summer 2014

Inside this issue

2 Worcester Cathedral News

Editorial Team Nick Drew, Peter Atkinson, Susan Macleod and Jan Davies

Photography Christopher Guy James Atkinson (JDA Media)Worcester News

Worcester Cathedral News The Chapter Office, 8 College Yard, Worcester WR1 2LA

Telephone: 01905 732900

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.worcestercathedral.co.uk

Welcome to the Summer edition of the Worcester Cathedral newsletter. As we go to press, there are many signs around the precincts that summer is approaching already – the Cathedral Ferry across the Severn is running again, the Tower is open to visitors and the gardens are in bloom. At this time of year, our thoughts turn to the excitement of the Three Choirs Festival, and in particular in years such as this one when it is our pleasure to host the world’s longest-running music festival. You will find full previews

of Worcester Three Choirs 2014 in this issue.

As this issue of the Newsletter was being prepared, the Cathedral said farewell to Denise Inge, wife of the Bishop of Worcester, who died on Easter Day. Many loving tributes were paid to her on that occasion, some of which are reproduced here. I hope you will all continue to hold Bishop John, Denise and their daughters in your prayers.

This summer, we will be part of the national commemoration of the outbreak of World War I. The Cathedral’s links with Geoffery Studdert Kennedy (Woodbine Willie) the best known chaplain on the Western Front make it a very significant anniversary for us. You can read more about our commemorative programme later in this issue.

I hope you enjoy this latest issue of the Newsletter, and that we might be able to welcome you to the Cathedral as a visitor over the course of the summer.

Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester

From the Dean

Today’s cover is the work of Three Choirs Artist in Residence, Rob Pointon ARBSA.

Professional artist Rob Pointon has been working around Europe producing a body of expressive oil paintings of Cathedrals ahead of an exhibition in the Chapter House at Worcester during the Three Choirs Festival.

Rob’s connection with Worcester started in 2012 when he painted the Cathedral as part of a national art project, touring on board a narrowboat. He has since painted the Cathedral extensively, including a dramatic painting of the Viennese Ball and orchestra in January.

www.robpointon.co.uk

3-4 Community News

5-6 Music

7 Cathedral Information

8-9 Music

10-11 Events Guide

12 History & Learning

13 Events

14 Friends

15 Guilds and Societies

16 Fundraising

17 Cathedral in the Community

18 WWI Anniversary

19 Gift Form

20 Information Form

Contents

Twitter:@WorcCathedral

Facebook:search ‘Worcester Cathedral’

Summer 2014

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Worcester Cathedral News 3

Community News

‘You never enjoy the world aright, till the sea itself floweth in your veins, till you are clothed with the heavens and crowned with the stars: and perceive yourself to be the sole heir of the whole world.’

Thomas Traherne, ‘First Century’, no. 29

‘Whatever happens – alleluia is our song.’

Denise, on hearing of her diagnosis

Dr Denise Inge – A Tribute

Dr Denise Inge, wife of Bishop John, died on the afternoon of Easter Day, after having undergone treatment for cancer for much of the preceding year. A funeral Eucharist, held in the Cathedral on 6th May, was attended by around 1,000 people and was celebrated by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. The service repeatedly emphasised Denise’s deep faith, her nature as an ‘Easter Christian’ with a great hope in the Resurrection, her distinguished academic career (particularly in the study of the 17th century priest and poet Thomas Traherne), and her love for her family.

The Archdeacon of Worcester, Roger Morris said:‘Denise was a very accomplished writer, speaker and researcher specialising in the work of the English poet Thomas Traherne. In one of his writings, Traherne says that you will never enjoy the world ‘till you can sing and rejoice and delight in God, as misers do in gold, and Kings in sceptres’. Denise, with an undiminished faith in God and a generosity of spirit, really did enjoy this world.’

The new Bishop of Dudley, Graham Usher said:‘We mourn Denise as a remarkably talented theologian, a generous host, a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, and, above all, a faithful disciple of her Lord and Saviour to whom she returned on Easter Day. In this Easter Season we

know that our sadness is touched and transformed by the hope, love and peace of the Risen Jesus’.

In the sermon he preached during the service, the Dean said of Denise:

‘She was surprised to find that preparing to live and preparing to die were the same thing. She remained an Easter Christian in all she thought and did. And when her illness came, she found - and remained firm in - her conviction of the healing power of the risen Christ. Whatever happened, alleluia was to be the song. She had come to know that God takes the dry bones of our mortality, and he clothes us with the heavens, and he makes the sea race in our veins, and he crowns us with the stars. Denise, you are right. Whatever happens, alleluia is our song.’During the service

The Archbishop of Canterbury arrives


Community News

Library Assistant Deidre McKeown leaves the Cathedral in July after 15 months. Her post was paid for by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Deidre completed two exhibitions on Life in the Benedictine monastery and another on rare maps, and two smaller displays on organists and seventeenth

century anatomy books. We wish her every success in the future.

In March we welcomed Suzanne Byrne as the Cathedral’s new Catering Manager. Suzanne previously worked at the Stourport tennis and squash club as Stewardess, with responsibility for running the club, and has 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry including running

a pub, hotel, bar and restaurant. ‘I am looking forward to bringing my experience to further develop the already great catering department. Watch out for new menus and some modern twists on old themes this summer!’

We also welcome the new officers and trustees of the Friends of Worcester Cathedral, following implementation of constitutional changes approved at their Special Meeting in January.

King’s SchoolMr Tim Keyes, Headmaster of The King’s School, retires at the end of the summer term. Mr Keyes has been Headmaster of the King’s School since September 1998 and amongst his achievements Mr Keyes has overseen the successful transition from a Boarding

School to a flourishing Co-educational Day School. The culmination of his time at the school is the building of the £9million Sports and Performing Arts Centre which will be opened this autumn, to be known as The Keyes Building.

Mr Keyes places great emphasis on the school’s Christian history and current practice which are key elements of its ethos and traditions: ‘Our partnership with the cathedral is a particularly valuable thing to us. Continuing to nurture that should be a priority’.

Keith CollyerA regular attender at the Cathedral’s Sunday morning eucharist, and a former Director of Cadbury Schweppes, died in April, aged 89. His delights were the natural world, poetry and plays, especially those of the Bard, and making music – he was rightly proud of the choirs which he conducted and the harpsichord which he built. His real and enduring loves, however, were his wife, children and grandchildren. May Keith rest in peace and rise in glory.

Professor Nicholas BrooksProfessor Emeritus of History in the University of Birmingham, died on 2 February after an operation. He served until recently as Chairman of the Cathedral’s Fabric Advisory Committee,and brought exceptional graciousness and good sense to that role, as well as his formidable knowledge of mediaeval history, being a leading scholar of the period of St Oswald and St Wulfstan. All who knew him will miss his friendship and wisdom. A memorial service will take place later in the year.

In Memoriam...

Cathedral Staff


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Much has been written about the Three Choirs Festival elsewhere in this publication but I felt it would be helpful to highlight some of the service music that will be performed. To the Cathedral Choir members the core activity of combined choir services is often the highlight of these festivals and it is hardly surprising, given that it is quite rare for three such choirs to meet, rehearse and perform together at such a forum and to such an audience.

As seems to be custom now, the Wednesday evensong will be broadcast live on BBC radio 3 and I have chosen for the introit Thomas Tomkins’ rarely heard O praise the Lord all ye heathen. This piece is in twelve parts and therefore is perfect to be sung by three four-part choirs. The setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in G is quite an early work by Howells but should sound very rich and sonorous given the quality and quantity of singers present. Byrd’s extended anthem ‘Laudibus in Sanctis’ is an exuberant setting of Psalm 150 and should be a rousing finish to the broadcast. Other service music includes settings of Felix Mendelssohn, edited and prepared by Lay Clerk, Richard Pugh, and these will be sung by the combined Worcester choirs at the Festival Eucharist. The rarely performed Ave Maria by Donizetti will also be worth catching at the opening service. Christopher Allsop, Assistant Director of Music, has made his own arrangement from a library score released from the library of the Musikverein in Vienna, especially for our use at this festival. Hannah Grove will be the soloist for this work and the Orchestra of the Swan will be in residence for this service.

The tour de force for the combined choirs is Bach’s B Minor Mass and, with the Academy of Ancient Music and a team of top soloists, this will doubtless be a performance not to miss. This is my first festival in Worcester and I am looking forward to it with great anticipation and much excitement. I hope you are too.

Music Notesby Dr Peter Nardone, Organist and Director of Music

Song School refurbishmentFor most members of the congregation, and visitors to the Cathedral, the choir school is probably seen as one of the engine rooms of the place rather than part of the main structure. However, behind the red door in the cloister is a CS Lewis Narnia of intrigue and activity, music and teaching. It is very much part of the Cathedral’s daily life of worship and has reached a stage where it now seriously needs some updating and rearranging. Thanks to a most generous donation from the Freemasons of Worcestershire this work can now be done.

Immediately after the Three Choirs Festival it is envisaged that there will be a two month programme of refurbishment which will include moving the main rehearsal room to the first floor, creating a multi-use space in the lower room including kitchen facilities for choir teas, laundry facilities and rehearsal space. There will also be new toilets, central heating, rehearsal stalls, robe cupboards, and the merging of all choir libraries into one space. Together with repairs to windows and walls, there will be thought given to the acoustics of both rehearsal rooms and floor coverings throughout.

We remain grateful to the family of the late Rupert Judge for enabling the previous refurbishment but have decided that it would make sense to refer to the building as the Judge Song School rather than the Judge Choir School so that it is not confused with our real Choir School which is King’s Worcester.

Peter Nardone Organist & Director of Music

Fundraising PageMusic


The Music Department is pleased to announce the first annual Old Choristers Reunion - a wonderful opportunity for all old choristers (boys and girls), choral scholars and lay clerks to spend the day in Worcester and sing Choral Evensong together with the current cathedral choir, conducted by Dr Peter Nardone.

To sign up, please email Christopher Allsop at: [email protected] with your details, including your name, when you sang at the cathedral, and your current voice-part (if you would like to join with the choir for the service).

Old Choristers ReunionCome and sing Evensong, Saturday 5th July 2014

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For a full range of gift ideas visit the Cathedral shop online at: www.worcestercathedral.co.uk/Shop_online.php

Gift ideas from the Cathedral ShopThe Cathedral Shop has a range of interesting books on the First World War and the Three Choirs Festival.

What Tommy took to War - with striking original photography by Chris Foster and expert text from noted historian Peter Doyle, this book looks in detail at fifty objects that Tommy would have had in his kit and which would have accompanied, equipped and comforted him during his wartime ordeals.

Yours Ever, Charlie – a fascinating and moving account of a Worcestershire soldier’s experiences in Gallipoli, based on his many letters home.

Women in the First World War is told through historical documents, memoirs, photographs, uniforms and ephemera, the authors present a study of this turning point in British social history.

With the forthcoming Three Choirs Festival in mind, the shop also has a selection of books. To name but one: Elgar and the Three Choirs Festival by Donald Hunt.

Please feel free to share this information with any former choristers, choral scholars or lay clerks with whom you are in touch.


Weekly Services

Sunday Services7.30am Matins 8.00am Holy Communion 10.30am The Cathedral Eucharist 4.00pm Evensong or Evening PrayerThere is normally a Service at 6.30pm on Sundays in School Term.

Monday to Saturday Services7.30am Matins 8.00am Holy Communion 5.30pm Evensong or Evening Prayer

Additional Weekday ServicesMonday 1.05pm Prayers for Healing (not Bank Holidays)Wednesday 1.05pm Holy CommunionFriday 11.30am Holy Communion (BCP)

Cathedral Information

Cathedral opening times 7.30am – 6pm daily, Entry free. Charges apply for the areas below.

Group Guided Tours Email: [email protected]

Young people and school group visits Email: [email protected]

Turn up for a Tour March to end of November, Monday – Saturday, 11am & 2.30pm December to end of February: Saturdays only, 11am & 2.30pm

Tower open (weather permitting) March – end of October on Saturdays, Bank Holidays and school holidays. Please telephone to check the Tower is open before making a special visit.

Cathedral Library Open by appointment only Email: [email protected]

Meeting rooms and to book events Email: [email protected]

Cathedral Shop Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm Sunday, 12noon – 4pm Also often open for concerts at 6.30pm and during the interval.

Cloister Café Monday to Saturday 9.30am – 4.30pm Sunday 10.30am – 4pm

The Chapter Office Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 5pm Telephone: 01905 732900 Email: [email protected] Website: www.worcestercathedral.co.uk

Cathedral Information

The Cathedral’s detailed monthly service scheme for the current month will give you more information about the individual services.

Visit: www.worcestercathedral.co.uk/Monthly_Service_Scheme.php

mailto:[email protected]





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Music

‘A life-changing experience’ is how Worcester Cathedral’s Director of Music, Peter Nardone, describes hearing a performance of Elgar’s The Apostles on his first visit to the Three Choirs Festival in 1984. So it’s hardly surprising that The Apostles makes another appearance this year in Dr Nardone’s first programme as Artistic Director of the Festival. It will be conducted by Adrian Partington of Gloucester Cathedral, so Peter can sit back with the rest of the audience and enjoy listening to this great work performed by Worcester’s own girl choristers, the Three Choirs Festival Chorus and Youth Choir, and the Philharmonia Orchestra, with a strong line-up of soloists.

At the heart of the 2014 Festival are several concerts marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. The opening recital by baritone Roderick Williams in Huntingdon Hall (2.30pm, 26 July) takes as its theme ‘The Great War in English Song’, and includes George Butterworth’s famous setting of Housman’s A Shropshire Lad, one of the most poignant tributes ever paid to the thousands of young men who lost their lives in the conflict. The first evening concert in the Cathedral (7.45pm, 26 July) is a performance of Benjamin Britten’s unique War Requiem, written to mark the end of the Second World War and the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral, but setting texts by the First World War poet Wilfred Owen alongside the Latin Requiem Mass.

The Three Choirs Festival has also commissioned its own large-scale choral work to mark the anniversary. A Foreign Field by the German composer Torsten Rasch (right) will be premiered on the evening of 31 July as part of a ‘Reflections of 1914’ programme, when the festival chorus and choristers of all three cathedrals will Ph

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Opening service of the 2011 Worcester Three Choirs Festival

The Three Choirs Festival26 July – 2 August 2014


Music

be joined by singers from the city of Chemnitz in Germany, which had to be almost totally rebuilt after its destruction by Allied bombing in World War II. The text of A Foreign Field is drawn from a variety of Latin, English, Austrian and German sources, including a quotation from a child survivor of the Chemnitz raids and verses written by some of the poets who met in the Gloucestershire village of Dymock just before the outbreak of WW1.

Among them were Rupert Brooke, whose ‘The Soldier’ perhaps represented the mood of the time more than any other single poem, and Edward Thomas, whose parting from his wife Helen provides the central dramatic image of Rasch’s piece. This is one of only two classical music works to have been included in the official 14-18 NOW

WW1 Centenary Art Commissions, and its Three Choirs Festival performance is certain to have great emotional impact.

The 450th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare will also be marked throughout the festival. Shakespeare’s Globe will be giving two performances of its touring production of Much Ado about Nothing in College Hall (3.30pm, 26 & 27 July), while later in the week the soprano Julia Doyle with pianist Steven Devine will perform a selection of Shakespeare settings by Purcell, Arne and Blow (Shakespeare in Song, Huntingdon Hall, 2.30pm, 1 August). William Walton’s incidental music for Henry V will be included in the Cathedral concert with choir and orchestra on 30 July (7.45pm), conducted by John Wilson, who has developed a huge reputation in recent years for his interpretation of film music and will bring all the drama of the silver screen to a programme that also includes Strauss’s Don Juan and the violin concerto by Erich Korngold.

This is just a taster of more than 63 concerts, cathedral services, walks, talks, exhibitions and more that make up the Three Choirs Festival Worcester 2014. For details of all the other events look out for the festival brochure, ring our Ticket Office on 0845 652 1823 or consult our website, where online booking is also available at www.3choirs.org

Dymock church war memorial

King’s SingersPhoto: Benjamin Ealovega

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June

Until 15 JuneVoices and VisionsCloisters

Saturday 7 June, 1.30pm - 6.15pm‘Be a Chorister for an Afternoon’Open to boys and girls 8-13. £4 per child. For more information on 01905 732908 or email: [email protected]

Pentecost Sunday 8 June, 10.30am10.30am, Cathedral Eucharist 6.30pm, Sung Eucharist with Baptism and Confirmation

Sunday 8 June, 1pmFree Lunchtime Recital by Carlton Male Voice ChoirRetiring collection in aid of Basil D’Oliveira Foundation

Tuesday 17 June, 1.10 - 1.50pmLunchtime Organ Recital by Simon Taranczuk, Director of Music, King’s School, WorcesterFree admission, retiring collection

Thursday 19 June, 5.30pm Sung Eucharist for Corpus Christi

Sat 21 June, 2.30pmReaders’ Service

Sunday 22 June, 10.30amCivic Service

Tuesday 24 June, 1.10pm - 1.50pmLunchtime Organ Recitalby Cameron Luke Director of Music, All Saints’ Church, CheltenhamFree admission, retiring collection

Saturday 28 June, 2pmOrdination – Priests

Sunday 29 June, 10.30amOrdination – Deacons

July

Tuesday 1 July, 1.10pm - 1.50pmLunchtime Organ Recitalby Paul Walton(Assistant Organist, Bristol Cathedral)Free admission, retiring collection

Saturday 5 JulyNational Young People’s Bellringing Competition

Sat 5 July, 1.10pm - 1.50pmFree Lunchtime Recital by Worcester CathedralVoluntary Choir Supporting Maggs

Tuesday 8 July, 1.10pm - 1.50pmLunchtime Organ RecitalBy Jonathan Vaughn (Assistant Organist, Wells Cathedral) Free admission, retiring collection

Saturday 12 July, 1.10pm – 1.50pmFree lunchtime recital by Voices in Harmony

15 July – 31 August‘World War One’s most famous Chaplain: Woodbine Willie’Dean’s Chapel

26 July - 2 AugustThree Choirs FestivalTo book tickets 0845 652 1823

August

Monday 4 AugustPeal to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the start of the First World War

9 - 26 August‘Worship’A stunning sculptural installation by talented award winning international artist Caro Sweet ARBS. Including a section of her charcoal drawings. Nave Saturday 9 August, 11amService to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Start of WWI

Tuesday 12 August, 1.10pm - 1.50pmFree Lunchtime Piano Recital by Daniel JohnsonFree admission, retiring collectionSaturday 9 August, 11amWorld War One Commemoration Service

Saturday 16 or 23 August,9.30am - 4pmStone Masons Workshop£50 per person, per session, to book call 01905 611427

Events at Worcester Cathedral

Events Guide


Saturday 9 - Saturday 23 August, 12.15pm - 1.15pm (excluding Sunday)Library Tour*£5 per person, to book call 01905 611427. *No disabled access

Saturday 9, 16 & 23 August,11am - 12noon & 2.45pm-3.45pm, Monday 11 - Friday 22 August, (excl Wednesday) 2.45pm - 3.45pmUpper Reaches Tour* £5 per person, No under 16s to book call 01905 611427*No disabled access

Saturday 9, Wednesday 13, Saturday 16, Wednesday 20 and Saturday 23 August, 1.30pm –- 2.30pmWWI: Worcester Cathedral Connections£5 per person, to book call 01905 611427

Monday 11 – Friday 22 August, 11am - 12noon (excluding Saturday/Sunday)Stone Masons Tour£5 per person, to book call 01905 611427

Tuesday 12 August, 1.10pm - 1.50pmLunchtime Recital by Daniel Johnson, PianistFree admission, retiring collection

Tuesday 12 &Tuesday 19 August,1.30pm - 2.30pmGarden Tours£5 per person, to book 01905 611427

Thursday 14 August, 6.30pm - 8pmA talk on creating stunning Sculpture by award-winning international artist Caro Sweet ARBS£10 per person to including a welcome drink, to book call 01905 611427

Tuesday 12, Thursday 14 & Tuesday 21 August, 10.30am - 12noon & 2pm - 3.30pmBold as Brass (Brass rubbing)Something different for young peopleFree - donations invited Saturday 16 August, 2pm - 4pmThe World of Make up Special FX by special effects technician Steve Chambers£10 per person. Adults accompanying a child £5 per person, to book call 01905 611427

Sunday 17 August, 12noon - 3pmTeddy Bears PicnicCollege Green

Tuesday 12, Thursday 14 & Tuesday 29 August, 10am - 11.30am including a tourLearning to ring bells.No under 10s. £15 per person, to book call 01905 611427

Regular Events

Monday - Saturday, 11.00am & 2.30pm Turn up for a Tour£4 per person

Monday - Saturday,11am - last entry 4.30pmTower Open£4 per adult, £2 per child, £8 per family)

Monday – Saturday, 10am - 4pm, Sunday 12noon - 4pmSafari Back Pack Self-guided tours around the Cathedral for children£5 + £5 deposit (with some items to keep)

Scan this code on your smartphone or tablet to access the latest events diary on the Worcester Cathedral website

Disclaimer Care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the diary at the time of publishing, however, changes may be made at a later date. Please check with the Chapter Office for the latest details or visit our website at www.worcestercathedral.co.uk

Background image: Rob Pointin, Worcester Cathedral Interior

Events Guide

The Pilgrim Returns

On 7th April, Guild of Benefactors members and project sponsors were invited to the official launch of the Telling the Story project. This exciting initiative, developed in association with the University of York, provides a number of new ways to explore the Cathedral, through mobile phone and tablet apps, and a number of interactive touchscreens situated around the Cathedral floor.

The apps offer both heritage and pilgrim trails, allowing the visitor to engage with the Christian story of the building as well as its history, architecture and music.

The launch event also gave a first opportunity to see the new display case for the artefacts of the Worcester Pilgrim. The remains of the Pilgrim, thought to be 15th century Worcester dyer Robert Sutton, were first unearthed during building works in 1986 and now re-conserved and back on display after a short absence.

The cockle-shell, an emblem of St James, found with his body, indicates that he may have been on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, the most significant spiritual destination in medieval Europe (and increasingly popular once again nowadays). BBC Midlands Today featured the return of the Worcester Pilgrim artefacts in a report by journalist Cath Mackie.

Pilgrims Quest

History & Learning

The new Worcester Pilgrim display and one of the interactive touchscreens, now on the Cathedral floor

This youngster chose to kneel in complete isolation, lost in thought - or prayer - by the resting place of our Worcester Pilgrim


Over 500 children joined in two days of learning and experiencing pilgrimage for themselves. The whole day is planned to be a spiritual exercise in the nature of Pilgrimage. After journeying around the cathedral, participating in activities which look at life’s decisions, or creative prayer, or the saints and their stories, and making a pilgrims token in a mega craft experience,

the children are encouraged to separate from others and be alone in the great expanse of the cathedral as a metaphor for life. Then to find a place where they can stop and reflect before responding to the call of song, the Pilgrim’s Song, - Brother, Sister, let me serve you, let me be as Christ to you.


Events

Discover Something DifferentDiscover Something Different here at Worcester Cathedral between Saturday 9th and Saturday 23rd August 2014, by taking part in our tours, talks and workshops. The event is kindly sponsored by the Friends and will be part of the Worcester festival.

New this year is a WWI related tour, an evening talk on sculpture by local artist Caro Sweet, brass rubbing led by our Education department, and a World of Makeup Special FX workshop where you can learn about the special makeup effects and prosthetics on film and TV productions.

By popular request we will have two Stonemasonry workshops, run by our Head Stonemason Darren Steele, and three Learning to Bell Ring introductory workshops led by our Ringing Master Mark Regan. Places for these were quickly sold out last year, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Following on from feedback after last year we have attempted to ensure that tours do not overlap with each other where possible, so visitors can go on more than one tour. Tickets will soon be available from the Worcester Live box office on 01905 611427.

Our 235-step, 170ft Cathedral tower is now open to the public for the Summer every Saturday, on Bank Holidays, and daily during the school summer holiday, weather permitting.

You can enjoy an unparalleled view of Worcester and its surrounding area for an admission price of £4 for adults, £2 for children, or £8 for a family ticket. The tower is open 11am - 5pm, last entry at 4.30pm.

Cathedral ArtsThe Cathedral Arts Exhibitions Committee recently visited the Bransford studio of local artist Caro Sweet ARBS, and we will be exhibiting her sculpture ‘Worship’ from 12th to 26th August. It was wonderful to see where she creates her stunning work and runs sculpture courses. She will also display some charcoal sketches at the west end of the Nave, to show how her work is planned.

When ‘Worship’ is installed it will take two of our Service Team to help move the sculpture into position and Caro is building a special wooden plinth to cover the long metal arms that will stablise the piece when it is in place. We look forward to seeing it framed by the sun shining through great west doors in one direction and the stunning arches of the East end in the other.

To complement the exhibition, Caro will give a ticketed evening talk after Evensong on Thursday 14th August, when those attending can meet her over a drink and hear her speak about her work and the fascinating processes she goes through to achieve such excellence. Tickets will be available from Worcester Live box office and will cost £10.

The Cathedral Arts Exhibitions Committee oversees a varied programme of exhibitions that are generally held in the Deans chapel. They usually last between two and four weeks and are free to view.

Tower Open!

Caro Sweet at work

Friends implement a new IT system while enjoying a busy events programme

Monty Don’s Real Crafts


Friends

New Database SystemIt may not sound like a riveting topic but members should be pleased to hear about the new IT based system which is being introduced to help the Friends manage communication with its members more effectively.

The database is part of a Cathedral-wide system which is also being used for other groups in the Cathedral community, providing similar benefits. This is a database which will allow information about members (e.g. address, phone number, subscription, date of joining, etc.) to be held in a form which makes communication much easier, more immediate and less expensive than post, whilst also remaining secure.

The database will also allow the easy management of subscriptions, whether they are paid online, by standing order or by cheque. Another particular benefit is the ease with which organisation of social and cultural events can be managed, including booking and ticketing.

Similarly, the management of campaigns to promote the Friends and attract new members will be much easier.Could Friends

please let Clare Stokes, the administrator, have updated information about themselves, especially email addresses, to get maximum benefit from this change. Email: [email protected] or telephone: 01905 732920.

Social and Cultural EventsOver the last few months there has been an entertaining and informative talk on antiques from Gabrielle Bullock (a member of the Friends), an equally interesting talk on Vesta Tilley organised jointly with the Friends of the Museums and a visit to Winterbourne House and Gardens in Birmingham. The summer continues with further events, including a church crawl with Tim Bridges, a visit to Brecon Cathedral and a Three Choirs recital organised by the Friends. So plenty to look forward to and enjoy!

Monty Don’s Real Crafts has been a delightful 6 part TV series at 9pm on a Monday night during April and May on More 4. In the series, the much-loved TV gardener gives the opportunity to gifted amateurs to train under some of the country’s master craftspeople, such as blacksmiths, furniture makers, stonemasons, glass blowers, potters and weavers. Those involved have the chance to win a commission.

We were pleased to be approached by More 4 who asked to film here for their stonemasonry challenge. Our Head Stonemason, Darren Steele, set the amateurs the task of each extracting a piece of masonry that was in need of repair and carving the replacement. It was fascinating for Cathedral staff to be involved in the filming process, and to see the outcome of the contestants’ efforts when the programme was televised – we hope the viewers enjoyed an insight into the work of our stonemasons too.

If you haven’t seen the programme you are able to catch up on line with the series online http://www.channel4.com/programmes/monty-dons-real-craft/4od




Last summer the Cathedral’s young bellringers competed with teams from all over the UK who entered the Ringing World’s youth contest which was held in York. We were a creditable fourth out of the 16 teams on the day! Seven of our team were taught to ring at our Teaching Centre

On Saturday 5 July 2014 the Cathedral’s Bellringers will be hosting the contest as well as entering a team of young ringers. We are expecting over 250 young bellringers and their families to visit Worcester and the Cathedral will be the hub of the day’s activities. The contest will take place at Old St Martin in the Cornmarket between 1000 and 1600.

Ringing workshops will take place all day at St John’s in Bedwardine, St Swithun’s, St Stephen’s Barbourne, All Saints and the Cathedral where a team will be ringing for Choral Evensong. The results will be announced in College Hall at 1745 followed by a barbeque on College Green.

Teams from Bedfordshire, Birmingham, Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Essex, Gloucester, Hertfordshire, the Isle of Wight, Oxford, Staffordshire, Somerset, Suffolk, Sussex, Yorkshire and Worcester Cathedral will be competing for the Whitechapel Trophy.

Nigel Herriott, Chairman of the Ringing World, said: ‘I am delighted that the Ringing World National Youth Contest is being held in Worcester this year. It brings together the Contest, the premier national event for bellringers of school age, with the leading Teaching Centre for bellringing in the country at Worcester. There will be 16 teams with a total of nearly 150 young people who are all looking forward to the contest at Old St. Martin’s and to ringing at the other churches in Worcester. It promises to be a wonderful event and one of the highlights of the bellringers’ calendar.’

There’s no doubt the cathedral is one of the best buildings in which to give live performances, but when Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir turns it into a recording studio, the combination is truly a match made in heaven.

In recent years the choir has built on its reputation as a recording artist through a clutch of critically acclaimed CDs. The latest, The Guest, featuring the music of English born Australian composer Paul Paviour, including a track written especially for the choir, was released in February and has already garnered praise from the music press. ‘There is an attractive vigour to Paviour’s choral music,’ said Choir and Organ Magazine ‘The singing of the Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir is engagingly expressive... Here is consistently inviting music well worth exploring.’

The composer described himself as ‘euphoric’ after his first hearing of the CD and has since reported that it is brewing up even more delight Down Under.

Hodie - Advent to Christmas Day, the Choir’s first CD on the Regent label, was ‘warmly recommended’ by top American magazine FANFARE as ‘a winning entry’ and received highly favourable reviews in the Gramophone and BBC Music magazine. For Rise Heart, featuring works by Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Parry and Stanford, David Mellor told his Classic FM listeners: ‘If you want to hear good choral singing then listen to this!’ BBC Radio 3 also featured Parry’s Hear My Words from the CD on its composer of the week.

All the choir’s CDs are available to buy at the Cathedral shop and online at www.worcestercathedralchamberchoir.co.uk

Guilds and Societies

Bellringers News

Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir

Nigel Herriott

http://worcestercathedralchamberchoir.co.uk


Fundraising

Edgar Tower is one of the most under-estimated parts of the Cathedral precinct, yet it is a vital part of the life and heritage of the place, and has a fascinating history. Director of Fundraising Nick Drew explains why we need to do urgent work to keep it open.

The gateway we now know as Edgar Tower – the main entrance to the south side of the Cathedral precinct – has been variously called ‘St Mary’s Gate’ and ‘the Great Gate’ over the years, but was first called Edgar Tower in the 18th century, after Edgar, King of England 959-975AD, in whose reign it was thought to have been originally erected.

The first stone gatehouse there was reputedly commissioned by King John in 1204. The current gateway was built in 1346-7 at a cost of £47 18s 11d – equivalent to £25,000 in today’s money, which to my mind constitutes a ‘bargain’.

According to research by our Cathedral Library Assistant Deirdre McKeown, it has served many purposes over the years – a bulwark against unruly mobs, a prison, a schoolroom (up to the present day) and an office and home for various monastery and Cathedral functionaries, including the monastery ‘janitor’ or door-keeper, and our current Cathedral Steward.

It has a portcullis groove, and ‘murder holes’ through which all manner of unpleasant substances could be poured to defend the Cathedral! During the Civil War, a small brass cannon is supposed to have been stationed on its roof.

Edgar Tower is a vital part of the Cathedral’s life today. It is the main entrance for pedestrians and vehicles to the south side of the Cathedral, a vital access point for supplies to the Masons’ Yard and the Service Team, and a route onto the site for many of our visitors, volunteers and staff. However, in recent years, the Tower’s exterior stonework has deteriorated to such an extent that urgent work is needed to repair it, otherwise the gateway may need to be closed.

From this Autumn, our stonemasons will be concentrating on repairs to the Tower, in a project which will cost £300,000 over two years. We have received a grant of £69,500 from the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, as well as a number of other smaller grants, but this still leaves us some way short of the total we need.

How can you help?l By making an individual donation using the form at the back

of this Newsletter, marking it for the ‘Edgar Tower Fund’ (please also write this on the back of any cheques).

l By joining Worcester Cathedral’s Guild of Benefactors – please contact the Director of Fundraising to find out more.

Early drawingof Edgar Tower

Tower Tales

Cathedral in the Community

Maggs Day Centre was set up some twenty years ago, following the death of John Maggs, who was homeless and sleeping rough. It was set up in order to help those who were in need of support whilst sleeping rough themselves and to offer help to others in need.

Maggs provides support for people in the city of Worcester and surrounding areas, who are homeless, in personal material or emotional needs, socially isolated or at the risk of becoming homeless. In the last twelve months Maggs has looked after over 500 people in the Day Centre alone. In addition help is given to those who are in process of setting up home for the first time and Maggs offers a variety of Drop-in Centres for advice on money management, legal advice, medical advice and prevention of becoming homeless.

In the Activity Centre skills training is offered to help people manage their lives and maximise potential through learning skills in Cookery, Arts and Crafts, Financial Management and Basic Computer Skills. With the help of generous donations by the public the Maggs Clothing Project provides ‘free of charge’ clothing and basic household items and starter packs for those setting up home for the first time.

Two years ago it was suggested that the Cathedral could take part in the help that Maggs was providing and from a meeting held in April 2012 the Worcester Cathedral: Maggs Partnership was established and a Managing committee formed. Since this time the Cathedral Community and the public have supported the Partnership to help the homeless through the Maggs organisation by the provision of regular supplies of food, toiletries, clothing and household items.

To date we have supplied, in those two years, something in excess of two and a half tonnes of clothing supplies, and further weekly supplies of food items to the Day Centre. In addition through fundraising from concerts and table top sales over £4000 has been provided to help with the budget and also provide equipment, including a film projector and screen which enables the Maggs clients to have a cinema film show every week.

The collection point in St John’s Chapel is there to receive further clothing and food donations and three more concerts are being planned over the next twelve months.

L A Davies Chairman of the Worcester Cathedral: Maggs Partnership Committee

Buy online at the Cathedral Shop

For those from far afield planning a visit to the cathedral it’s possible to stock up on guidebooks, DVDs and CDs of the cathedral choir including their latest album Now Let us Sing and also the newly released recording of the Dean’s marathon poetry reading last summer.

Also available is a selection of books of local interest, e.g. Woodbine Willy (of particular relevance in this first world war anniversary year) and other titles on Christian and historical subjects.

For those within the diocese a comprehensive range of church stationery and other supplies can also be ordered at the click of a mouse. The shop carries a range of candles of all sizes for every Christian occasion although these are not currently available online. We are however happy to take orders by phone or email (tel: 01905 732924; email: jamespertwee @worcestercathedral.org.uk).

It’s certainly worth checking the online shop regularly as new items, particularly books and CDs, are constantly being added to the range.


Worcester Cathedral: Maggs Partnership

www.maggsdaycentre.co.uk


WWI Anniversary

Leopold Lojka was driving a car in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914, and took a wrong turn off the Appel Quay. It was a tragic mistake: he was driving the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Franz Ferdinand, and his wife Sophie, and while he was reversing, Gavrilo Princip, nearby, had the opportunity to approach the vehicle and assassinate the two passengers - setting off a train of events that culminated in Britain’s declaration of war on Germany on 4 August.

The people of Britain did not expect the war to last for long. That was another tragic mistake, for they had very little idea that they were entering into industrialised warfare such that would constitute one of the greatest tragedies of the twentieth century.The concept of ‘tragedy’ - an undesirable calamity - is impor-tant, because it points to the truth that there are some things that may be unwanted or unwilled not only by us, but even by God.

To say that God can bring bad out of good (Romans 8.28) is not to say that God wills what’s bad in the first place. The power of God may consist not so much in the ability to direct and control all things in whatever way God so chooses, as the infinite ability to repair, even into the next world, what goes wrong. Our hope and trust, as we live with personal tragedy, and remember the tragedies of a century ago, is in a God who, as W. H. Vanstone once put it, ‘will find yet new resource to restore and to redeem’.

Chapter & VerseRevd Canon Dr Michael Brierley

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of WWI we will have a number of events at the Cathedral this summer. WWI themed concerts and poetry are part of the Three Choirs Festival as well as a talk by Canon Paul Tongue about WWI’s famous chaplain, local vicar Revd Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy. The fascinating ‘Woodbine Willie’ exhibition about him will be on display in the Deans Chapel.

On 9th August the City Service here will be one of penitence and peace, to which all are warmly invited and welcome, this will follow the Cathedral bells being rung to mark the occasion.

Through research into WWI we have created a new tour that highlights some of the stories of people who had connections with the Cathedral during the Great War. The tour touches on the lives of the cathedral clergy and their family members who served in WWI with different outcomes. In addition to this our new interactive touch screens in the cathedral are being updated with information on WWI themes to be reflected upon. A new mobile app trail will also help people remember the past and look to the future.

WWI Commemoration Events

Above, Canon Wilson, his wife and four sons all of whom served in World War I.Left, Memorial in the Cloisters to Hugh Stanley Wilson

I would like to make a regular gift of £ monthly quarterly _ annually

Starting on (day) (month) (year) until further notice

Payment method: Standing Order* Cheque

You can also donate online by visiting: www.justgiving.com/worcestercathedral

*The Cathedral will send a standing order form for your full details

Gift Form

We are custodians of a very precious heritage. It costs £3500 every day to keep the Cathedral open, free-of-charge, to worshippers, visitors and pilgrims alike. We also have many exciting plans for the future which will help us to sustain the work of the Cathedral for many years to come. We receive no support from the state, so we depend on a generous community of donors to allow this ministry to continue. Will you help us?

To make a single or a regular donation, please complete the form below and return to: The Director of Fundraising, FREEPOST RTGU-SSHG-JALA, 8 College Yard, Worcester WR1 2LA

Gift Aid DeclarationIf you are a UK taxpayer, we can reclaim 25p tax relief on every £1 you donate, at no cost to you. Please sign and date below if you are happy for us to do this on your behalf.

YES, I would like Worcester Cathedral to treat this and all subsequent donations as Gift Aid donations.

I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify.

Signed: Date:

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Please make cheques payable to ‘Worcester Cathedral’

Signed: Date:

Title: First Name: Surname:

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https://www.justgiving.com/worcestercathedral

Information Form

If you would like to hear more about Worcester Cathedral, please tell us more about yourself so that we can keep you informed of events which match your interests.

I am interested in hearing more about the following aspects of the Cathedral (please tick all that apply):

I would like more information on volunteering in the Cathedral (becoming a tour guide, welcoming visitors etc.)

I would like to hear about spiritual events in the Cathedral, e.g. the Lent Lectures

Please return this form to: The Director of Fundraising, FREEPOST RTGU-SSHG-JALA, 8 College Yard, Worcester WR1 2LA

Worcester Cathedral will manage all of your personal information in accordance with the Data Protection Act.Please contact us if you would like further information.

My other interests include:

Conserving the Cathedral Education Cathedral building Library Programme

Cathedral music Stained The Cathedral and organs glass gardens

The Friends of Worcester Cathedral The work of the Worcester Cathedral Guild of Bellringers stonemasons

Drama performances Art exhibitions Dance

Opera Classical music Jazz

Contemporary music Literature History

Handicrafts Gardening Politics and current affairs

DIY Cars and motoring Cycling

Walking / rambling Exercise Boats / watersports

Team sports Fashion Computers

Other (please specify)

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worcester cathedral newsletter, summer 2014

Spiritual