Weekly Notices | 23 February 2025
A reflection from Head Chorister Dawn
The Girl Choristers have just returned from an incredible tour to Tallinn, Estonia, where we managed to squeeze in a service and three concerts (including one on our layover in Latvia!) alongside a lot of sightseeing, food, and fun.
After a not-too-early start at the Cathedral on Saturday, we had made it to Estonia by 23:30 local time, and rolled into bed ready for an early start on Sunday morning, singing Mass at Kaarli Kirik, a large Lutheran church in central Tallinn, at 10am. The service was held entirely in Estonian, and we enjoyed trying to work out which aspects of the service aligned with our own traditions. This wasn’t our only singing event of the day, and after stopping to buy lunch at everyone’s favourite Baltic supermarket Rimi, we headed to St John’s Church for our first concert. Dinner that evening was at Restoran Trofé, where we enjoyed some classic Estonian delicacies, before heading back to the guest house for a well-deserved night’s sleep.
Monday morning saw us all on the bus to the Tallinn TV Tower, where we could see the whole of Tallinn’s snowy landscape from the 21st-floor observation deck. Waiting for the bus home, we had our first of many snowball fights, before sampling Estonian McDonald’s and heading back to the guest house. We didn’t have far to go for our evening concert, which was at Püha Vaimu Church, next door — we had a great concert, despite the church’s very cold interior, then had some chill time before heading out to a Ukrainian restaurant for dinner. Tuesday was our day off, and we enjoyed a trip around some of Tallinn’s most historic locations, expertly tour-guided by DP. After a traditional girls’ choir ice skating trip (featuring some spectacular falls from pretty much everyone) we had an afternoon of hot chocolate, shopping and snowball fighting, before a delicious pizza dinner. In the evening, the girls all assembled in the hall for a games evening filled with laughter, a perfect final evening for a wonderful trip.
The next morning, we were out of the guest house by 6am for a sunrise flight to Riga, Latvia, where the snow was even thicker than in Tallinn! Given that there were six hours before our final flight to London, of course we took the opportunity to sing a concert at St Saviour’s Anglican church in Riga, and even managed to pack in a bit of sightseeing before heading back to the airport for our flight. It was a sad if tired goodbye as we arrived back at the Cathedral at 7:15pm. We all thoroughly enjoyed our tour, and made memories that will last a long time.
Dawn
Head Chorister
Dates for your diary…
Little Hope Gallery - Ukraine's Children tell their Stories in Art – Daily until 2 Mar
Little Hope Exhibition - Choral Evensong followed by Reception - 24 Feb at 5:45pm
Specialist Tour Tuesdays – Organ Tour - 25 Feb at 1:00pm
Lunchtime Live Performance - Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Symphonic Brass - 27 Feb at 1:10pm
Lunch Club - 3 Mar at 12:00pm
Friends Coffee Morning - 4 Mar at 11:00am
Ash Wednesday Holy Communion - 5 Mar at 8:00am
Mynheer Exhibition - Sarum Cycle - Daily from 5 Mar – 20 Apr
Ash Wednesday Midday Holy Communion - 5 Mar at 12:00pm
Ash Wednesday Eucharist with Sung Litany and Imposition of Ashes - 5 Mar at 5:45pm
Lunchtime Live Performance - Jean-Samuel Bez (violin) - 6 Mar at 1:10pm
Lent Course: Picturing the Passion – starts 12 Mar at 6:30pm
Community News
Experience the magic of early music in the breathtaking Portsmouth Cathedral.
Over four days from 20–23 March 2025, the Festival of Early Music brings together world-class musicians for an inspiring programme of performances, celebrating the rich and expressive sounds of the past. Whether you are an early music enthusiast, a history lover, or simply curious to discover something new, this festival offers an extraordinary opportunity to hear timeless music performed in a truly unique venue.
A special edition of Lunchtime Live will feature outstanding musicians in an informal setting, showcasing the beauty and depth of early music in the cathedral’s remarkable acoustic. The internationally acclaimed Square Pianist will transport audiences back to the Portsmouth of the early 1800s in a performance celebrating the 250th birthday of Jane Austen. Featuring music from Austen’s personal collection, this evocative programme will explore the musical thread running through her life and works, complete with original Regency instruments and replica costume.
The spellbinding voices of The Gesualdo Six will fill the cathedral with soaring harmonies and intricate polyphony, bringing Renaissance and early choral music to life with breathtaking precision and emotion. Adding a fresh and playful twist to the festival, Messy Messiah presents a lively and engaging reimagining of Handel’s beloved masterpiece, offering an energetic and accessible take on one of the most celebrated works in early music. The festival will also weave early music into the cathedral’s Sunday services, creating an immersive and atmospheric experience that connects music with worship in a truly special way.
🎹 The Square Pianist (20 March, 8:00pm) — Book online
Step back in time with music from Jane Austen’s collection, performed on an original Regency instrument, complete with historical insights and period costume.
🎶 The Gesualdo Six (21 March, 8:00pm) — Book online
Experience Queen of Hearts, a programme dedicated to both spiritual and earthly queens, performed by this internationally renowned vocal ensemble.
✨ Handel’s ‘Messy’ Messiah (22 March, 6:00pm) — Book online
A fresh and lively reimagining of Handel’s masterpiece, featuring Portsmouth Cathedral Choir, soloists, and orchestra.
Learn more and book online →
Little Hope Gallery Exhibition, Evensong and Reception
Portsmouth Cathedral are delighted to host one of the only exhibitions of Ukraine's Children's art. Little Hope Gallery is an international program of exhibitions created and supported by volunteers who have served in Ukraine since the full-scale war started in 2022. The programme aims to help heal traumatized, injured, orphaned, and displaced Ukrainian children through their art work.
Each piece of art is a piece of a child's soul, and nothing stands between a child's heart and the paintbrush. The children paint with joy, hope, resilience, and in the brightest colours. By bearing witness to their art, you become part of their programme of healing, because the children know that through you, they are seen, and their stories are told, and their hearts will be lifted.
The exhibition opens on 20 February and is open daily during Cathedral opening hours until 2 March. On Monday 24 February there will be a special evensong to mark the exhibition and to offer prayers for peace in Ukraine. The Ukrainian community choir Two Colours will sing at Evensong with our own cathedral choir. This will be followed by a reception in the Nave with music from Two Colours, to which all are welcome.
Cathedral Choir Tour to Estonia and Latvia
As you will note from the Reflections written by Dawn, one of our Head Choristers, the Girls, Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars have just returned from a highly successful tour to Estonia and Latvia.
Thanks to Bishop Kenneth Stevenson's links with Estonia through the Porvoo Declaration we have been visiting Puhavaimu Church, Tallinn on and off since 1998. This was our fifth trip, but the first for ten years and for our Girl Choristers.
Puhavaimu Church holds the original copy of the Royal Naval and Royal Air Force memorial to the 1919 Baltic Campaign that saved the Baltic States from Soviet aggression and guaranteed their independence until 1945. A replica memorial is in our Navy Aisle unveiled in 2006 and we sang at the third version of the memorial in St Saviour's Church, Riga earlier this week.
Thanks to all the choir for making the trip so special and to the support of the Choir Association which made the trip possible.
Specialist Tour Tuesdays
Join us for a range of hour-long tours led by one of our knowledge Guides throughout 2025 to learn more about Portsmouth Cathedral!
Organ Tour - 25 February 1:00pm
An hour-long Organ tour led by Dr David Price, Organist and the Master of the Choristers. Learn how the organs of Portsmouth Cathedral work and feel the building with music daily, with exclusive access to unseen areas of the Cathedral.
Architecture Tour - 18 March 1:00pm
An in-depth hour-long guided tour, that delves into the Cathedral's 800-year history and architectural features.
Book in our shop or online →
Friends Talk - Serving as Lord-Lieutenant: A Role of Duty, Honour and Community – 13 March
The Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral are delighted to host Nigel Atkinson Esq, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, for an insightful and engaging talk exploring the role of the Lord-Lieutenant in the modern world.
As His Majesty The King's personal representative in Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson has carried out a wide range of ceremonial, civic, and community duties since his appointment in 2014. This talk will shed light on the significance of the Lord-Lieutenancy, an institution that dates back to the 16th century, and how it continues to evolve today. Mr Atkinson will share his experiences working closely with local government, the armed forces, voluntary organisations, and businesses to promote civic life across the county. He will discuss his role in welcoming royal visits, supporting community initiatives, and fostering strong relationships between different sectors of society.
With a career spanning military service, business leadership, and extensive charitable involvement, Mr Atkinson brings a wealth of knowledge and personal insight to this talk. He will reflect on the values of duty, honour, and service, and the importance of these principles in an ever-changing world. The evening will conclude with a Q&A session, providing an opportunity for guests to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the Lord-Lieutenant's work.
This promises to be a fascinating and inspiring event, offering a rare glimpse into a role that blends history with contemporary community leadership.
Free to attend -secure your space by booking online, donation greatly received.
Learn more about the Friends →
Chapter
Chapter, the Cathedral’s governing body meets on Monday when it will receive updates on Cathedral operations and finances and preparations for the INEQE audit in June this year. The agenda for the meeting is here.
See meeting agenda on our downloads page →
Installation of Head Choristers
Following our recent farewells to Head Chorister David and Deputy Stanley, we're delighted to have installed Niki as our new Wilson Head Chorister along with Alex and Sam as Deputy Head Choristers. Congratulations to the boys! Readers may be interested to know that we appoint new Head Choristers following extensive discussion amongst key music staff and the choristers have a chance to vote. Following all this, the Precentor and The Cathedral Organist make a recommendation to The Dean.
Career Opportunity - Chief Operating Officer
Join the team leading the iconic Cathedral of the Sea. As Portsmouth Cathedral’s COO, you will deliver the Chapter’s strategy, oversee day-to-day operations, and ensure the Cathedral thrives as a centre of ministry, mission, heritage and events.
Closing date 9:00am, Monday 10 March.
Details and how to apply here →
Cathedral Archaeologist
Congratulations to Alfred Hawkins, our Cathedral Archaeologist, on his promotion to Curator of Historic Buildings at HM Tower of London and Historic Places.
Worship & Visiting
Every day, Portsmouth Cathedral is open for worship, prayer, and visiting. Unless otherwise specified, services do not require booking. Our website contains orders of service, as well as information about visiting the Cathedral.
Services this Sunday - 23 February (Second Sunday before Lent)
8:00am - Holy Communion Book of Common Prayer
9:30am - #PompeySundays
11:00am - Choral Eucharist sung by the Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars
13:00pm Baptism
5:45pm - Evensong sung by the Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for: Erin to be baptised this Sunday - and her family and Godparents. Also for Sophia who will be baptised next Sunday.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Phoebe, Peter, Elizabeth, Tom, Pauline, Chris, Paul, Marion, Ian, baby Lottie and baby Etta.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Jill, Alison, Spencer, Suzy, Alistair, Richard, Graeme, Rosy, Mathai, Philip and all in need.
We remember those who have died recently, including: David Carpenter (Cathedral funeral Monday 24 February at 11:00am), Barbara Sykes (funeral on Monday 17 March 11:15am at Portchester crematorium), David Yates, Michael Brotherton, Veronica Shuttleworth RIP.
Upcoming Services & Events
Getting in touch
Please feel free to get in touch if we can help in any way, or if you just want to hear another voice!
Get in touch with us by email to info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or leave a message via phone on 023 9282 3300.
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