A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CATHEDRAL GUIDE

It is 9.30 am and I am one of two guides standing and chatting together with the Education Officer, at the Visitors entrance of the Cathedral as we await the arrival of a primary school.  A familiar and enjoyable pattern to me, except today I am filled with a slight degree of apprehension.  Today, we are introducing a new element into our tours for children; we are to tell the story of St Werburgh using puppets!  What?! at my age?!   isn’t that what they do on the telly?!  A cursory practise beforehand had not quite calmed my nerves, but no more time for thinking about it as the children arrive.  We split the school into manageable groups and off we go.  The excitement and hush is palpable as my group enter the Nave  -  for many children, this will be their first visit to a place of worship, and once again I am sharply reminded of how essential is the work of our Education Department. I try to plug into this excitement...“look around you”... “look down the aisles”...“look behind you”... and very important this ... “look UP!”. It’s marvellous to see the wonder and awe on faces as they soak up the beauty and majesty of the Cathedral. The history and story of the Benedictine monks unfolds - then another highlight....I select an unsuspecting boy and before he knows it, he is dressed in the habit of a Benedictine monk… such excitement… such giggling... and teacher takes a photo...or five...! Before long all the children are robed in habits (even the girls - who have of course been told this is exceptional!)... more photos...and we are off in procession to explore all the Cathedral has to offer.   We reach St Werburgh’s Chapel and, much to my relief, the puppets are an instant hit and a great success.  By now it is nearly time for the children to have their lunch, and we finish the tour by gathering together to light a candle and say a prayer.  It is a humbling moment indeed to see young children, of every denomination, eyes closed, heads bowed, hands joined together in prayer… blessed indeed are the pure in heart. 
I hurry off for a satisfying lunch in the Refectory, as I have another tour in the afternoon.  This is a group of ladies from my own parish church, the Roman Catholic Church of St Werburgh’s Chester.  I collect my group from the excellent Cathedral shop where they have been indulging in a spot of retail therapy, and once again I start in the Nave.  Most of the ladies live in Chester and have visited the Cathedral over the years, but have never “stood and stared”.   So I begin exactly as I did with the children - “look around, down, behind and UP!”  Everyone is suitably impressed, as I knew they would be.  I launch into the history of the Cathedral - much loved and so familiar to me; the Benedictine monks, the Reformation (good humoured and predictable cries of “why can’t we have it back!”), the Cloisters, the Quire, and then on to St Werburgh’s shrine.  A highlight - a precious symbol of prayer and worship down the ages - our patron saint who unites us all - and yes, we believe in miracles!
The day ends with Evensong in the Quire, with a very warm welcome being extended to our group by Canon Trevor Dennis, who includes a special prayer for Pope Benedict.  This is especially appreciated by our parish group, and brings to end a wonderful and most rewarding day.

It is such a privilege to be a guide in the Cathedral.  Without doubt, my faith has been strengthened by the gift of friendship I have found in my fellow guides and in the wider family of the Cathedral community.

Bernice  Meredith

The Antiques Roadshow Comes to Town

Sometime ago the Cathedral sidesmen were asked to help with the stewarding for a recording for the first of a new series of the Antiques Roadshow – with the new presenter Fiona Bruce. On the evening before,  we received a two hour briefing from Alec – the Front of House Manager. Armed with our instructions we duly turned up at 8.15 am on the morning of the recording to find that the queue was beginning to form outside the Visitors’ Entrance. The stewards on the outside queue had been told that they were to look out for any weapons! These had to be checked at the entrance before the owners were allowed through into the Cathedral.

The queue was soon stretching right down St. Werburgh Street and, on arriving inside the Cathedral, people of all shapes and sizes, clutching parcels, bags and boxes of a similar description, found themselves winding their way through the Undercroft, round four sides of the Cloisters, through the North West door and then in a huge loop in the North Aisle before arriving with me at the head of the queue. My task was to direct the clients to four ‘assessors’ at Reception, who made recommendations as to which of the experts would examine their precious objects. They were given a ticket with the name of the expert and then they moved off to join another queue! It took most people the best part of three hours to get from ‘entrance to expert’  I have to say I was very impressed by the patient way people queued. By the time they reached me at the front of the queue everyone knew the family history, the holiday plans and the hopes and fears of the people adjacent to them in the line! It was a very friendly day.

Once arriving with the experts the expectant visitors presented their  gifts, rather like the Magi and with a similar sense of anticipation. Some were thrilled – some were very disappointed – no-one became a millionaire overnight – but some had objects which interested the experts and merited a special appearance in front of the cameras to talk about the piece they had brought. Towards 6 pm things started to wind down and only a few people waited, still patiently, in the short lines by the experts' tables. Soon the consultations were over and the BBC team set about the task of stripping down the lights, the platforms and screen and packing away the cameras.

It had been a very long day for staff and visitors alike. However – it was a very  enjoyable occasion and there was a wonderful ‘buzz’ about the place throughout the day  It was fascinating to see how the programme was made and we will all watch, with interest, in the Autumn, when the programme goes on the air, to see if we ‘starred’ !
Derek Jackson
Sidesman

Quote from Simon Shaw, Series Editor, Antiques Roadshow

“We couldn’t have hoped for a better location in which to start a brand new series of Antiques Roadshow.  Chester Cathedral will prove the most exquisite backdrop for our viewers and, with around 2,500 visitors patiently queuing to see our team of experts, we’ve been assured a rich day indeed. Dealing with such a large attendance could have been problematic, but the team from the Cathedral who helped steward the event couldn’t have been more efficient and helpful. We hope the Cathedral team have enjoyed their day and may welcome more visitors to this magnificent building as a result.”

MAY DIARY DATES

 1         13.10    Organ Recital Recital in the Nave byColin Walsh (Lincoln Cathedral)
 2         10.00    - 16.00 Friends of Chester Cathedral Plant Sale in the Cloisters
 3         10.00    - 16.00 Friends Plant Sale in the Cloisters, with Cakes and Jams today
 4         18.30    Wholeness and Healing Service
                        in the Lady Chapel
 7         13.00    Bible Talk in the Cloister Room
 8         13.10    Organ Recital Recital in the Nave by David Sanger (International Recitalist)
 9         14.00    Queens Commemoration Service

•       19.30    CMS Concert in the Nave
•       12.00    Congregational Lunch (tickets from the Shop)

            18.30    Global Day of Prayer Service

•       13.00    Bible Talk in the Cloister Room
•       1.10      Organ Recital Recital in the Nave by

                        Tim Linsley (Chester Cathedral)

            21.00    Firework Display from tower to mark 100th Anniversary of the
                        Territorial Army

•       15.30    Civic Service for new Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress

21         13.00    Bible Talk in the Cloister Room

•       13.10    Organ Recital Recital in the Nave by

                        Ian Roberts (Chester Cathedral)
26         09.00    Exhibition of Clay Figures in Abbey Square

•       13.10    Organ Recital Recital in the Nave by

                        Roger Fisher (Chester Cathedral
                        1967-1996)

In Residence:

  1-3      Canon Chris Humphries
 4-17     Canon Christopher         Burkett
18-31    Canon Chris Humphries

Mothers’ Union
Charity Concert

An evening of words and music by

Infinite Riches
On Thursday 15 May at 7.30pm
In the Long Room,
Eaton Park Eccleston, Chester
(by kind permission of their Graces
 the Duke and Duchess of Westminster)

Wine and canapés included

Ticket price:  £60 on sale from Mothers’ Union Office, 11 Abbey Square, Chester, CH1 2HU.  Tel:  01244 40049 ,
e-mail mothersunionchester@care4free.net

Saints’ Windows in the Cloisters

St Augustine of Canterbury was a Monk and Abbot of Saint Andrew's abbey in Rome. Sent by Pope Gregory the Great with 40 brother monks, including Saint Lawrence of Canterbury, to evangelize the British Isles in 597. Before he reached the islands, terrifying tales of the Celts sent him back to Rome in fear, but Gregory told him he had no choice and so he went. He established and spread the faith throughout England; one of his earliest converts was King Ethelbert who brought 10,000 of his people into the Church. Ordained a bishop in Gaul (modern France) by the Archbishop of Arles.  Augustine was the first Archbishop of Canterbury. He helped re-establish contact between the Celtic and Latin churches, though he could not establish his desired uniformity of liturgy and practices between them. Worked with Saint Justus of Canterbury.  Anglican Archbishops of Canterbury are still referred to as occupying the Chair of Augustine.
Born :             Rome, Italy
Died :             26 May 605 in Canterbury, England of natural causes; relics interred                        outside the church of Saints Peter and Paul, Canterbury, a building                       project he had started
Memorial:  26 May

Meeting of the Cathedral Forum
Tuesday 27 May 2008 at 6.30 pm

A meeting of the Cathedral Forum will be held at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 27 May 2008 in the Chapter House, and will include an interlude for discussions over light refreshments in the Cloister Room. An agenda and summary accounts will be issued in advance of the meeting. The Forum will include various reports from Chapter and the Cathedral team. All those on the Cathedral Roll are invited to attend*.

* Anyone over 16 is eligible to enrol if they worship regularly at the Cathedral, are engaged in work or service connected with the Cathedral in a regular capacity, or hold office linking the holder to the Cathedral. The appropriate forms are available from the Cathedral Office at 12 Abbey Square (telephone phone 01244  324756) or from one of the Vergers.

Keep the Cathedral Running

Please support your Cathedral Team (Canon Chris Humphries, Chris Walton, David Mayer, Russ Millhouse and Alex Cummins) in the Chester half marathon on Sunday 18 May.

The easiest way to sponsor us is online at http://www.justgiving.com/cathedralteam

 or by picking up a marked gift envelope from the Admissions Desk.

A Chesterfest celebration is again taking place in the City this summer with 21 participating Churches of which the Cathedral is one.  In preparation for this from 1-10 May there will be an emphasis on praying for the City with a coming together in a united service on 11 May in the Cathedral at 6.30pm, attended by the Bishop of Chester.  There will then be an outreach week from 21-27 July, combining both mission and community service projects, culminating in a  family Fun Day on Sunday 27 July on Hoole Coronation Playing Fields, which last year was a wonderful family occasion.  Please do support Chesterfest and pray for our city, together with our fellow Christians from the other participating Churches.

Chris Humphries

A very successful Easter activity morning was held for the children that go to the Cathedral Sunday School. Over 25 children attended, ranging in age from 1 to 13. They took part in a variety of craft activities in the cloister room and enjoyed an Easter egg hunt in the Bishop's garden, undeterred by the pouring rain!
Claire Chatterton
Education Officer

Civic Service
18 May at 3.30pm

You are warmly invited to come to the Cathedral to pray for Cllr Brian and  Mrs Raewyn Bailey, the new Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress as they begin their year of Office

There is a cup of tea or coffee and a chance for a chat and to make new friends every Sunday in the Refectory after the 10.00 am service.  All are welcome.

Chester Cathedral Choir

Both boys and girls will be taking part in a special concert as part of the Cathedral Organists Association /Choir School Association at the Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool on Tuesday, 13 May at 1.30pm.

The concert is open to the public and any family, friends or supporters who wish to go.  There is no charge for this concert.

The programme is as follows:

                        Song of Wisdom                                 Stanford
                        Pie Jesus                                            Fauré
                        Let the bright seraphim                       Handel
                        Love divine                                          Goodall
                        Missa Brevis                                       Britten
                        Litany to the Holy Spirit                       Hurford
                        Nunc Dimittis                                      Burgon
                        Ex ore innocentium                             Ireland
                        Laudate Dominium                             Mozart
                        Alleluia jubilate                         Whitbourn