Weekly Record
8 February 2009
Those people that know me well will tell you that
there is nothing I
like better than a good old rant, preferably in a pub over a
pint. If there was an ‘A’ level in ranting I would pass it,
no problem. Favourite topics of mine include poor facilities
for disabled; men taking their T-shirts/shirts off in hot weather in
public (Yuk!); the 15kgs luggage allowance for travelling abroad (how
is a girl supposed to manage with that—my ‘products’ weigh more than
that); the obsession that this country appears to have with animals;
and finally the fixation we have with the weather! We are
infatuated with it aren’t we? The current climate that we are
experiencing has taken up much of our conversation, and remarks such
as, ’I will do my best to get in tomorrow-weather permitting….’ and,
‘Do you think we need to go home early in case we get snowed in?’, have
been put on repeat throughout the week. Meetings have been
postponed ‘due to adverse weather’ conditions, and our Maintenance Team
have been chucking around grit and salt like there is no
tomorrow. It is just a bit of snow! A slight
sprinkling of the white stuff that just makes everywhere look clean and
quiet. We have though I am sure you will be pleased to know
managed to open the Cathedral every day as normal, with all services as
usual, and there were no accidents reported—apart from a member of
staff who slipped and sprained her ankle - but that was internally and
can hardly be blamed on the blizzard! Heaven help us if we
really did have to cope with real adverse conditions.
It has been other than that a fairly routine week. A decision
has been made to re-open the Crypt Chapel for daily Mass at 12.15pm,
Monday-Friday, which the Cathedral clergy are extremely happy
about. They all seem to enjoy the intimate and informal
atmosphere of the St Nicholas Chapel. They also think it is
warmer (there you go again you see, weather etc). Personally
I think it is because it’s slightly dimmer in the Crypt, and they can’t
see so easily if someone has nodded off during their homily!
As with everything else there will be an exception to this, and Mass
will be in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel when there is a funeral or some
other extra-ordinary event. The first such event that springs
to mind is the long awaited, much-anticipated CAMRA Beer
Festival. The organisers move in next weekend and the smell
of ‘Summer Lightning’ and ‘BrewDog Punk’ (all real names can you
believe) will waft around the Music Corridor.
We are hoping that it won’t be too long now before the whole of the
Crypt is open for the public to view. The date has been put
back and put back and it has been frustrating, but I suppose that there
is no point opening to visitors when there are still some snagging
issues to be resolved and cleaning to be done. The work that has taken
place makes it so impressive and a wonderful asset, and those of us who
have some input are very proud of what has been achieved. The
Cathedral Friends will enjoy their very own Private Viewing of the
Pontifical Hall and the Treasury followed by some champagne and nibbles
in a few weeks. If you wanted to join in with us for this
event you could always sign up now to become a member of The Cathedral
Friends! There are leaflets at the back of the Cathedral and
the Crypt. This is not the only event that is planned for
Spring 2009. The Committee has worked really hard
at re-branding The Friends and thinking up fresh ways of enticing
people to join.
Anyway, that’s it for this week! I had better dash as I need
to stock up on bread and milk—just in case I get snowed in!
Claire Hanlon Assistant to the Dean
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