Even a bit of rain didn’t dampen our spirits on Festival Day!
- nanettetiplady
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
Chapter House was full again for our AGM with over 80 members joining us to hear our updates of the year and the Dean of Durham, Philip Plyming, reflected of an exciting year for Durham Cathedral.
Our much-loved colleague and friend, the late Gordon Summerbell, was a great miss to us, but we were sure he was looking down keeping an eye on us on Festival Day!
As we said our goodbye and sent our thanks to our departing Executive Committee member Maureen Potter, we welcomed our newly voted in trustees: George Barber, Malcolm Sunter, Hazel Bradshaw and Michael Spencer to the committee. It is great to see that there is great enthusiasm to join the team and the future of the Friends will continue.
Our student volunteer, Megan Curtis, was also recognized for her hard work over the last 18 months, and while we are delighted that she has completed her History Degree at Durham, and graduates at the cathedral next month, we are sad to lose her and awarded her Lifetime Membership.
A Thank you from the Dean.
We reflected on what an incredible and historic year if has been for Durham Cathedral, with a special visit from His Majesty The King and The Queen as Durham Cathedral hosted the Royal Maundy service this year.
The Friends have supported many projects that have come to fruition this year including: The Scott Screen Conservation, new flooring in the Education Department, repairs to the Prie-Dieu, the repair of The Paschal Candle Stick and the creation of the New Choir Rehearsal Space.
As a continuation of the Cathedral Spaces Project, the Dean shared with us all plans for the Cuthbert Centre for Prayer and Pilgrimage. Launching a new Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer is one of the most significant outcomes of the Cathedral’s new ten-year vision process (‘Vision 2033’). Building on the development work funded by the Friends last year, this project will bring the Chapel of the Holy Cross back into regular public use, complete with a fully accessible entryway and a new heating system to support future conservation. We were delighted our members were in support of the project and we intend to use a significant legacy left to us to fund the work.
Following a lovely lunch in Prior’s Hall, our members were treated to a wonderful Organ Recital by Daniel Cook playing Felix Mendelssohn Sonata No 3, J.S. Bach Choral Prelude on ‘By the waters of Babylon’ and Durufle Variations on ‘Veni Creator’. Daniel is Master of the Choristers and Organist at Durham Cathedral and is recognised internationally as a liturgical and concert organist of the highest order.
After a wonderful organ recital, our members then headed off to their specialist tours around the cathedral. A huge thank you to our volunteer guides for welcoming our members to the cathedral.
Jeanne Dean headed the group Exploring the Cathedral: Hidden and unhidden delights who were keen to find out more about the unseen objects and areas of Durham Cathedral. The Rectory Library is always a popular tour and our members were eager to see Beyond the Shelves, revisiting the Refectory’s Rare Book collection with Shaun MacAllister. Steve Mann showcased the Skills of the stonemasons in his Time Carved in Stone tour, educating us all about The Freemen of Durham.
Our day concluded with a final cup of tea and mini scone in the Cloisters before heading to the Quire for a special Evensong. Our members followed the procession into the Galilee Chapel and we were treated to a lovely intimate performance by the Cathedral Choir.
Rain may have stopped the Cathedral Choir performing at the Top of the Tower this year but it definitely didn’t dampen our memory of a wonderful day with friends.
