At the time of writing this week’s record concerning Cathedral events I appear to be drowning under a sea of paperwork that I just keep shifting from one part of my desk to the other—maybe in the hope that it might all morph into one big paper aeroplane and take off somewhere else. I had thought that the advent of email would reduce the amount of paper that is churned out from every quarter, but this does not appear to be so in my case. I have replies from schools attending the advent services that will take place later on in December (these are incidentally going to be the most spectacular Advent Services we have had for some years now—each child attending will be issued with a t*****, no, I had better not spoil the surprise—you will just have to come along and see for yourself!), replies from schools coming to the Three Kings Service in January, replies from people wanting car park passes for all the Christmas services and a further pile of replies from Cathedral Friends whom we have written to recently following our re-branding.
There is so much happening at the Cathedral at the moment and over the next few weeks, that it is hard to pinpoint one thing to tell you about, and obviously being aware of my tendency to ramble on (normally about myself!) the Dean, who is enjoying a few days holidays this week, has asked me, nay instructed me, to let you know all about the launch of the Lutyens Crypt Project which is officially taking place next Sunday, our Patronal Feast of the Christ the King, 25 November at 11.00am. You will know by now that work has started on creating a link from the Gibberd Cathedral down to the Lutyens Crypt. This will most importantly mean that all areas of the Crypt are accessible for everyone, and it will also open up the space for exhibitions and prestigious events. You will have heard all about this but if you are like me unless you can see something in picture form it is very hard to visualise. The Archbishop will be unveiling a set of boards that have been specially designed showing what the new scheme will look like after completion. The boards will also describe the ways in which you can contribute to the project. Because as with everything there is a financial implication. The whole project is costing over £2.7million. Although this includes over £1million from the European Union we have to raise over £200,000 ourselves.
What we are asking is that you consider either as an individual or a family having your name, or recording a special celebration such as a wedding anniversary, birth, death or birthday on the glass around the walkway and pavilion which is the main link from the Cathedral to the Crypt. I really don’t want to sound all dramatic and theatrical about this opportunity, but it is a once in a lifetime chance to really make a difference and to have your name recorded for ever. So even if you cant make Mass next Sunday at 11.00am do pop in and see for yourself how you can help. If we are not able to achieve our target of raising the final £200,000 by my reckoning it will mean another 500 car boot sales…...
That’s it for me for this week. I am off to get myself a paper shredder for all my piles of paper……
At the time of writing this week’s record concerning Cathedral events I appear to be drowning under a sea of paperwork that I just keep shifting from one part of my desk to the other—maybe in the hope that it might all morph into one big paper aeroplane and take off somewhere else. I had thought that the advent of email would reduce the amount of paper that is churned out from every quarter, but this does not appear to be so in my case. I have replies from schools attending the advent services that will take place later on in December (these are incidentally going to be the most spectacular Advent Services we have had for some years now—each child attending will be issued with a t*****, no, I had better not spoil the surprise—you will just have to come along and see for yourself!), replies from schools coming to the Three Kings Service in January, replies from people wanting car park passes for all the Christmas services and a further pile of replies from Cathedral Friends whom we have written to recently following our re-branding. 
There is so much happening at the Cathedral at the moment and over the next few weeks, that it is hard to pinpoint one thing to tell you about, and obviously being aware of my tendency to ramble on (normally about myself!) the Dean, who is enjoying a few days holidays this week, has asked me, nay instructed me, to let you know all about the launch of the Lutyens Crypt Project which is officially taking place next Sunday, our Patronal Feast of the Christ the King, 25 November at 11.00am. You will know by now that work has started on creating a link from the Gibberd Cathedral down to the Lutyens Crypt. This will most importantly mean that all areas of the Crypt are accessible for everyone, and it will also open up the space for exhibitions and prestigious events. You will have heard all about this but if you are like me unless you can see something in picture form it is very hard to visualise. The Archbishop will be unveiling a set of boards that have been specially designed showing what the new scheme will look like after completion. The boards will also describe the ways in which you can contribute to the project. Because as with everything there is a financial implication. The whole project is costing over £2.7million. Although this includes over £1million from the European Union we have to raise over £200,000 ourselves.