Cathedral Life In Exile

A mother of two younger members of the Cathedral Choir, had arranged some flowers in St Ethelbert’s Well over the last two weeks to cheer people who saw it. I went for a walk to the park today and noticed that even more flowers had been added... for Easter. A small gesture, such as this, really does brighten a day, now maybe even a week!

Set in Stone.

New life can begin at any age and on any day, redeeming the past, sanctifying the present and brightening the future.

Luke 23:45

I thirst by Nicola Hopwood

Mark 14:50

Palm Sunday. Holy Week begins, but without any of the liturgical events that mark it’s journey, private devotion is all that remains.

Cloister Garden. One of my solace’s is the Cloister garden which looks down on the River Wye, when it’s a nice day I go and read or just relax. A local black cat often comes and joins me, meowing for affection, such things really do bring cheer and comfort. It is important to be thankful.

No more pilgrims.

Divine light. As there is so little verger work to do, I am no longer needed and have retreated to the Cloister. On one of my last days in the Cathedral I filmed this quite unaware that in the refracted light you can see a stained glass figure.

Silence on a Sunday. One can’t help but feel the loss of worship, fellowship... on this day. The distinctive sound of the bells calling people to prayer now deadened. When will we hear them again?

Only love is infinite.

Tomb of Sir Richard Pembridge. The tombs in the Cathedral have taken on a unsettling significance. All things pass.

It’s a strange experience working in a empty and silent Cathedral. Only when the Organist comes in to practice, does it feel as though life is breathed back into the building.

A door is closed. An almost monastic existence begins.

There is a deep feeling of uncertainty. How long will we be in lockdown? Will this plague actually be the end of what we know? And yet, inside these cloister walls, there is an atmosphere that seems unconcerned - for it’s residents have been through tumultuous times before... but things endure. And that can’t help but lift one’s spirit.