A reflection from David Price

Last month Kitty and I ‘escaped’ to France for the first time since the Summer of 2020. It felt very good to get away. We are very lucky to live in Old Portsmouth with all that it offers, but that doesn’t mean we don’t all need to escape our familiar surroundings for adventures away from home if we possibly can. For us, this meant almost three weeks without Wi-Fi, incessant emails replaced by lots of eating out, walking the dogs up an Alp and daily Movie nights working our way through our eclectic DVD selection.

September always brings us back to reality with a bump. Choir rehearsals have re-started, schools reopened and sung services returning by our choirs. This Sunday is a ‘vintage’ Portsmouth sabbath with an early incarnation of our Annual Seafarers’ Service – most welcome as this was rained off in 2020. And in the evening, we shall install our new Organ and Choral Scholars – welcome to Joel, Pia, Max, Xavier, Tim and Daniel - as well as invest our new Head Choristers – congratulations to Daisy, Stephanie, Jasper, Arty and Deputy Ryan.

Close on the horizon is the launch of a new public campaign to help fund our cathedral music programme. ‘Sing Joyfully’ aims to highlight all the work we do with children and adults to foster music-making in our community and the cathedral’s patronage of music and musicians; all driven of course by our worship of God in this place and time. We are very lucky to be hosting Classic FM’s Catherine Bott on Wednesday 29 Sept as part of our launch events, more information and booking details for this special evening are below. We’ll be share more about ‘Sing Joyfully’ in the coming weeks.

The last eighteenth months have perhaps told us how much that we take for granted is a precious inheritance – things that hold us fast in bad times might be held only on a thread. How can we make sure we ensure our Christian calling in Portsmouth can be made to endure?

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me (Psalm 139)

Dr. David Price,
Organist & Master of the Choristers

Enjoy a taste of Portsmouth at Heritage Open Days 2021

Portsmouth Cathedral is joining hundreds of locations opening their doors as part of Heritage Open Days (HODs), England’s largest festival of history and culture.

This year’s programme offers a recipe for discovery: the festival’s theme is Edible England. From woodland foraging to factory floors, forgotten recipes to regional delicacies, the HODs festival community will explore the past, present, and future of England’s culinary heritage and culture. Portsmouth was once the entry port for many new tastes and flavours, from tea to oranges.

Portsmouth Cathedral will be open daily during HODs with special exhibition materials relating to Portsmouth’s ‘foodie’ past, including a special ‘Taste of Portsmouth’ self-guided tour you can explore on your phone! Join one of our free guided tours to uncover more of our history, with extra tours added over the weekend (18/19 September).

Find out more about Heritage Open Days on our website and book a tour online.

In Tune With Heaven: An Evening with Catherine Bott and David Price – 29 September, 6:45pm

Portsmouth Cathedral is delighted to present In Tune With Heaven: An Evening with Catherine Bott and David Price. Join us in the beautiful and historic surroundings of Portsmouth Cathedral’s nave for this very special event with renowned soprano and broadcaster Catherine Bott as she interviews Portsmouth Cathedral’s Organist and Master of Choristers David Price about his passion for music and career as an organist and choral director.

The evening will mark David’s 25th anniversary at Portsmouth Cathedral and all proceeds will support the Cathedral’s new fundraising campaign – Sing Joyfully – which aims to raise the funds for our choirs to flourish over the next 25 years and beyond.

Tickets include a glass of wine or soft drink and doors open from 6:45pm with the conversation beginning at 7:15pm. The event will conclude by 8:30pm.

Find out more and book online

With Thankful Hearts – Portsmouth’s Citywide Harvest 2021

Portsmouth Cathedral are pleased once again to be participating in the citywide harvest, With Thankful Hearts. A year ago people were invited to reflect on their experiences of lockdown and as a sign of our thanks for all the support and care that we had received to donate food or money to support those who provide food to those on the margins.

As with last year’s campaign, this renewed invitation to donate coincides with the season in which we as churches celebrate Harvest Festivals and give thanks to God for all the gifts he has given us by sharing some of those gifts with others who are in need. This practice stretches back through history into the Old Testament and can be traced over thousands of years. This year we will be collecting donations on Sunday 19 September at our harvest services.

Find out more

Cathedral welcomes essential new grant

Portsmouth Cathedral is delighted to welcome a further three-year grant from the Cathedral Sustainability Fund for a fully funded Events Manager post. This new position will work closely with the Visitor Experience and Volunteer Manager (currently being advertised for, and also funded by the CSF) and play a vital role in growing cathedral income, encouraging more people to visit and raising our profile across the city.

Dean Anthony comments: “We are incredibly grateful to the Cathedral Sustainability Fund for their continued commitment to Portsmouth Cathedral. The Fund now supports four members of our team, which is testament not only to our pressing need for financial support but also their belief in our plans to continue turning the Cathedral’s finances around, and deliver on our Vision and Strategy.”

The role will be advertised shortly.

Help us find our two new team members!

Recruitment is continuing for two vital new posts: a three-year Visitor Experience and Volunteer Manager and a one-year Records and Information Governance Consultant. Both posts are 100% funded by the Cathedral Sustainability Fund

The application deadline for both posts is 26 September 2021. Please help us to find some brilliant candidates by sharing these opportunities with friends, family and wider networks.

Find out more about careers on our website

Light bulbs, but no light – how come?

Some sharp-eyed people have queried that we appear to have many bulbs in our light system that are blown and not being replaced. Why is this? The fact is that our lighting system is now quite an old system and one designed to use halogen bulbs.

Many sockets are broken and will only hold bulbs, but without power getting through to them. Given the age of the system a piecemeal replacement is not cost-effective. In early 2020, we mapped the light bulbs in the Cathedral, so we now know which sockets work and which do not. The vergers monitor this and when bulbs in functioning sockets have blown, these are replaced. Each time this is done, more sockets are found to be no longer functional.

Additionally, as of 1 October 2021, Government regulations will change, and the sale of halogen bulbs will then be banned. While we are adding LED lights to the system where the sockets still function, our dimmer system is designed for halogen bulbs so it will not work as well as before.

We are currently undertaking our scheduled quinquennial inspection. The need to replace/update the lighting system will feature as one of the items that need attention over the next five years. A replacement system (with 100% functioning bulbs) will likely cost in excess of £100,000. The overall estimated repair bill for the Cathedral remains at over £2million - even before we start this quinquennial inspection - and this far outstrips our available funds.

If you would like more information about this, the quinquennial or the general fabric of the Cathedral please drop me an email at richard.abraham@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.

Sunday Refreshments

We are hoping to resume the serving of refreshments after the 11:00am Eucharist on Sundays from 19 September. Sue Ward has very kindly agreed to co-ordinate this and would be glad to hear from anyone who would be willing to be on the rota; please contact her to volunteer or find out more. For the time being, we will be serving cold drinks – sherry and a non-alcoholic option.

Committee Meetings

The Finance and Investment Committee met on Thursday to consider the first draft of the 2022 Budget which will be reviewed by Chapter when it meets on Wednesday. The meeting will also include a presentation by the Head Verger on the work of the department and a regular update on Safeguarding.

The Fabric Advisory Committee meets on Tuesday. This meeting will mark the first time since 2020 that the FAC has been able to have its meeting in the Cathedral. The meeting includes updates on current building issues and the 2021 Quinquennial inspection, which is currently underway as well as a walk round the building.

Find the agendas here: Chapter Agenda | FAC Agenda

Applications

The Chapter has made two applications as a required by the Care of Cathedrals Measure:

To the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England for permission to loan the Tangier Plate and the Marriage Certificate of King Charles II to the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery as part of an exhibition marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and Falklands 40th next year

To the FAC for permission to lay up the standard of the Wrens Association Portsmouth in the Cathedral.

Public notices are available on our website here.

Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral

The Friends Council met on Thursday and finalised the programme of events for the autumn which will be sent to Friends and publicised this week. The first event will be a Coffee Morning on Friday 24th September 11.00am-12.30pm in Becket Hall. Entry £5 with proceeds going to Macmillan as part of the World’s Greatest Coffee Morning. If you would like to know more about Friends Membership please contact friends@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or come along to the Coffee Morning.

Worship and Visiting

Portsmouth Cathedral is open daily for prayer, services and visiting. Booking is no longer required for services, unless otherwise indicated.

New pattern of service times

The new pattern of prayer and worship is now in place as we continue to emerge from Covid restrictions.

• Morning Prayer is said by the ministry team each Monday to Friday in the Cathedral and livestreamed at 8:00am, followed by a Eucharist at 8:30am, only in the Cathedral (not livestreamed).

• A Midday Eucharist will take place on Wednesdays only (not livestreamed).

• Evensong and Evening Prayer (when a choir is not present) will be at the new time of 5:45pm in the Cathedral. Some Evensong services will be livestreamed.

Find out more on our website and download orders of service.

We continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including encouraging the wearing of face-coverings, checking in with the NHS Covid-19 app and remaining at a safe distance from other groups.

Find out more on our Covid-19 information page.

Annual Service for Seafarers

We look forward to welcoming the Lord Mayor and Councillors at this year’s Annual Service for Seafarers which is being held slightly earlier in the year on Sunday 12th September at 11:15am. Timings of 8:00am Holy Communion and 9:30am Pompey Sundays are unaffected, the Eucharist will be celebrated at 5:45pm instead of Choral Evensong.

This service will no longer require pre-booking, we look forward to welcoming you!

Prayers and Intercessions

All those affected by COVID-19

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Trevor, Derek, Clare, Mervyn, Beverley, Richard, Aaron, Jane, Alan, Libby, Lesley, Hilary and all those in need.

Long-term sick including: Alison, Graeme, Christopher, Clifford, Jane, Johnny, Melissa, Andrew, Jenny, Suzy, Sarah, Bob, Michael, Rita and Izzy.

We pray for those who have died recently: Duncan Walters, Joe Nicol, Chris Ahern and Sharon Farrand RIP.

Upcoming Services & Events

Annual Christmas Fair returns

Led by Ann Wilson and a group of dedicated volunteers, the much-loved Cathedral Parish Christmas Fair returns later this year. The exact date will be announced next week, but it will be on a Saturday towards the end of November or the first weekend of December.

If you would like to volunteer or make things for the stalls, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

Black Lives Matter Portrait Exhibition | Open daily until 17 September

Portsmouth Cathedral are honoured to be working with local photographer Charlotte Griffiths as she debuts her new exhibition inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.

The exhibition combines Charlotte’s expert portrait photography, alongside the stories and experiences of black women and children in Portsmouth. A series of 10 portraits line the Nave of Portsmouth Cathedral, bringing together the struggles, triumphs, pain and happiness experienced by those involved.

Find out more

Portsmouth Cathedral Institute: Life After Covid: Radical transformation or business as usual? | 11 September, 10:00am–3:30pm

Join us for this day conference to explore how to draw lessons from our experience and shape the future that we want before us.

As well as sharing our concerns and aspirations, we will hear from people who have engaged with the pandemic in their work locally.

Find out more and book online

The Toddler service is back!  15 September, 2:00pm

We are delighted to announce the return of Toddlers this Wednesday at 2 pm. We will start with a service in the St. Thomas Chapel, and then go over to the Becket Hall for playtime. At the moment, we ask parents and carers please to bring snacks for the Toddlers, but we will provide tea and squash.

If you have any queries or need further information, please contact Canon Kathryn.

Lunchtime Live: Ivory Duo | 16 September, 1:10pm

Delight in our weekly recitals live at the Cathedral, featuring members of the Cathedral Music Department, and some special guest artists. Our autumn recital series opens with the Ivory Duo Piano Ensemble. These are two pianists with extensive performing credits, who have collaborated with a number of other instrumentalists and composers, and are due to release a new album soon.

Find out more

Heritage Open Days 2021 Tours | 18–19 September

Portsmouth Cathedral is joining hundreds of locations opening their doors as part of Heritage Open Days (HODs), which launches nationally today! Invite your family and friends to join us for free tours and digital content you can explore on your phone from 10 September.

Find out more and book online

PCCA: Harvest Celebration Barn Dance | 18 September, 6:30pm – CANCELLED

The Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Association are sorry to share that this years barn dance will no longer be taking place. If you have purchased a ticket online you will receive your refund automatically.

Thank you for your understanding.

Alice Hume: Interactive Weaves Exhibition | Daily from 21 September until 7 October

An exhibition of the of interactive community weaves created over the summer in collaboration with the Hotwalls Studios Artists to share skills, raise awareness of sustainable materials and build culture and community in Old Portsmouth.

Find out more

Halabja: In the Golden Days | Daily from 14 October until 3 November

Before it was the target of a devastating chemical weapons attack by the Iraqi Army in 1988, Halabja was renowned for its beauty and place as a centre of Kurdish culture. In this major new exhibition, Gulan presents a colourful celebration of Kurdish culture including costumes, jewellery and a landmark new art commission to be installed in the cathedral nave.

‘Halabja: in the Golden Days’ is part of the Journeys Festival International 2021 and is free to visit.

Find out more

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 pastoral@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or leave a message via phone on 023 9282 3300.