Latest news with #GloucesterCathedral
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Gloucester Cathedral organ's 'hybrid' sound during £3m refurb
An organ that had its 3,600 pipes removed after a technical failure can be heard thanks to speakers playing the sound from a different organ when the organist plays the 17th Century organ at Gloucester Cathedral can be heard via "a sort of hybrid virtual sound using sampled sound from Hereford Cathedral", said Jonathan Hope, assistant director of Hope said it is "probably the only time that will ever happen", adding that new pipes are being fitted, with the organ expected to be ready for Easter service next replacement is part of a £3m project called In Tune which will also see a singing and organ academy set up. Mr Hope said: "Half of the campaign is to fund the new cathedral organ and get new pipes into this historic case which dates from 1666."It's been changed four or five times [in 360 years], so this is the latest incarnation and sort of like changing your car engine." The pipes are made at a specialist company in Leeds and then sent to Nicholson and Co in Malvern, who are making the new organ, where they are Atherton, head voicer at Nicholson and Co, who has tuned more than 3,000 of the pipes by hand, used to be a chorister at Gloucester Cathedral. "It takes a lot of love, a lot of time and a lot of effort to do this. Some of these pipes have spoken for 200 years," he said the cathedral is one of the most beautiful liturgical buildings in the world, with the most beautiful acoustics, but actually having sung with the organ, it is a "privilege and massive honour" to build a new one."This will be one of the projects that will be a sort of career-making one for me," he added. Speaking on the new academy, the Dean of Gloucester, The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, said he hopes it will give an opportunity for young people of all sorts of different traditions and backgrounds to have "access to the wonderful music that is here".Work to install the new organ starts later this year.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- BBC News
Headlines: 'Bristol sporting quarter plans' and 'car boot row'
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories Work will start soon on a new 5,000 capacity arena and conference centre at Ashton Gate, as part of plans to transform the area into a new "sporting quarter". An application has gone in to Bristol City Council planners, asking them to sign off on their 'phasing and delivery strategy' for the plans, according to Bristol Live.A former Gloucester car boot organiser has protested being "labelled a thug" amid a dispute over the recent award of a leasehold for a car boot site at Hempsted Meadows, Gloucester, reports Gloucestershire plans have been approved for the Cathedral Hotel in Salisbury as a five star establishment with a rooftop bar, says the Salisbury a 24-hour prescription machine has opened in Burnham-on-Sea medical centre. Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media Gloucester Cathedral has announced its tower has been reopened, with a new roof deck which will allow for tours offering good views of the students at Cirencester College have skipped a night of sleep in the name of science. The college said on Facebook that 50 students would be taking part in a variety of experiments, all fuelled by pizza of course. And the Salisbury Cathedral peregrine falcons fledglings have finally flown the nest, with cameras capturing them stretching their wings.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Crowds watch Easter story street performance
People gathered in Gloucester on Good Friday to watch the re-enactment of Jesus' final walk. The street performance, The Way of the Cross, took place in the city centre with a cast assembled from churches across Gloucestershire. Christopher Walters, who played Jesus in the performance, walked barefoot through the city and carried a cross. The re-enactment of the crucifixion took place outside Gloucester Cathedral. Rev Rachel Forrest, of Holy Trinity Church in Longlevens, said the play allowed the audience to see "how graphic and visceral the crucifixion was". More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire The hour-long play began at 11:00 BST, with Gloucester residents and shoppers in the city centre invited to follow Jesus to the city's cathedral. Mr Walters said: "We were actually rehearsing last week and there were some kids who had never heard the Easter story before. "They saw us rehearsing in the streets and they came to ask us questions after and it was really nice to share what Jesus had done for us." Ms Forrest, who organised the performance, said: "We hear these stories, he died on Good Friday, but it's seeing how graphic and visceral the crucifixion was because I don't really pull any punches. "Then you realise what it was and what was really going on and how horrendous it was. "Crucifixion was the most shameful, awful form of punishment and I think it's really important for us to understand exactly what this means that they put this innocent man to such a horrible death." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Christian monument repaired in time for Easter Why giant Easter bunny was created in small town
BBC News
06-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Gloucestershire in pics: Spring blossom and community efforts
Our weekly round-up of pictures includes plenty of spring scenes as temperatures rise and the sun breaks clocks have gone forward and lighter evenings are here. Here's a few of our favourite pictures from this week in Gloucestershire. Bloomin' lovely: In Gloucester, the spring blossom was captured perfectly against the clear, crisp blue sky. We're starting to notice plenty of blossom around the county - and it's a beauty to see! A sight to see: There was a four-star bore on Monday, the biggest so far of a spectator watches as a kayaker rides the Severn Bore surge wave, a natural phenomenon occurring according to the lunar cycle where a set of waves push through the Severn River estuary and upstream on a high photo was taken near Minsterworth. Community spirit: Westonbirt has gained 6,700 trees with the help of community groups this part of the Silk Wood Community Planting Project, this winter's planting saw more than 900 people from 40 groups spend 140 hours digging, planting and protecting the mix of mostly native trees, so far helping to restore three hectares of ancient woodland devastated by ash dieback, a fungal disease that kills ash trees. What a scene: This looks like something from a film! It's a gorgeous photo showing off the stunning scenes in you to our weather watcher 'Perfect Storm' for capturing this for us. New faces: Gloucester Cathedral has announced this week that Barry McMaster has been appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer and Chapter extensive experience in finance, property and HR, Barry brings a wealth of knowledge to the role. His formative career was spent as an Officer in the British Army for nearly two decades, where he held roles in leadership. Stunning sunsets: What a shot. This one took me aback!The sky looks magical with the orange tones and it's wonderful to see Chalford in this light.
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
£40k grant for repairs to Gloucester Cathedral's famous cloisters
A cathedral has received a £40,000 grant to help conserve its famous 14th Century Cathedral said the grant, from the Headley Trust, would help them fund the next phase of the conservation. The cloisters have appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including Harry Potter and Wolf Hall, and are known for being the best example of fan-vaulting in the grant will be used for essential work such as repairs to the stonework, stained-glass windows and leaded-light glazing."This support will not only help in preserving the fabric of the cathedral but also invest in the skills and craftsmanship needed to do so," said Dean of Gloucester, the Very Reverend Andrew Zihni. Part of the work will also include cleaning the masonry and replacing hard cement with traditional lime-based materials more appropriate for the historic fabric of the building. "The conservation of Gloucester Cathedral's Cloister is essential in ensuring the cathedral remains safe and beautiful for future generations," said Eilidh McIntosh, head of fabric and property at the cathedral."We are fortunate to have a team of highly skilled stonemasons and craftspeople, whose careers have been previously supported by The Headley Trust. "They are dedicated to ensuring the work meets the highest standards of craftsmanship."
