Latest news with #WorcesterCathedral
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The great composer who was an organist at Worcester Cathedral
LAST month marked the anniversary of the death of a great composer who lived on College Green. A blue plaque marks this fact. It's not Sir Edward Elgar, who we celebrate annually with an Elgar Festival, but a lesser-known man called Thomas Tomkins. Tomkins died in 1656 aged 84. More: Let's celebrate the class of 2025! More of your Year 11 prom photos More: Forwarded letter's key role for diamond wedding couple More: Group feeling good after grant boost He was the organist of our great Worcester Cathedral between 1596 and 1646. Tomkins did a vast amount of things during his long life and was deeply saddened by the damage he witnessed during the English Civil Wars, especially to the city and the organ inside the cathedral. And 2025 is Play the Organ Year, a campaign organised by the Royal College of Organists to celebrate the pipe organ and its powerful music. Something Tomkins would have embraced and given his seal of approval to. When our magnificent cathedral was first built in the seventh century, organ music was literally unheard of. The first reference to an organ in Worcester dates to the 13th century when another man called 'Thomas the Organist' witnessed a simple deed. We also see wages set aside to pay the organist Ricardi Greene in the 15th century and hear of an organ being located in the Lady Chapel of the cathedral. By the 16th century the cathedral had several organs, including one purchased by Robert Alchurch. These sat in numerous locations including the Choir, St Edmund's Chapel and St George's Chapel. Sadly, this period would also see major damage to the cathedral and its organs. The radical Protestant reformer Bishop Hooper arrived in Worcester in 1552 and this led to the dismantling of at least three of these precious organs. However, following the death of the young King Edward VI, his sister Mary reigned and began to reverse some of the changes. She ordered the arrest of Bishop Hooper who was subsequently burned at the stake in the shadow of Gloucester Cathedral, having been found guilty of heresy in February 1555. During this period the Dean wrote to Cardinal Pole, Queen Mary's chief minister, asking for money to restore the cathedral and its organs. The letter said: 'Where our churche is greatly down our belles and organs be broken our altars and chapelles are by Hooper violated and overthrown'. In 1613 Tomkins personally oversaw the installation of a new organ against the choir screen. This was built by Thomas Dallam, costing £381.2s.8d — about £750,000 today. This organ would be badly damaged by parliament forces during the English Civil Wars. Tomkins tried hard to dismantle this organ to prevent further damage to it. Thomas Habington described what it looked like: 'At the west end and highest ascent into the quire is mounted alofte a most faire and excellent organ adorned with imperiall crownes, red roses, includinge the white flowredeluses, pomgranades, being all Royall badges. Towardes the topp are towe stars, with the one, W. Parry, Episcopus; with the other, A. Luke, Decanus; and written aboute the Organ, By the meditation and mediation of Thomas Tomkins.' A new organ was eventually constructed by Thomas Harris with further improvements being made by Hill & Sons in the 19th century. This company would go on to build two more, all being powered by water. The water had to be piped in using extensive new plumbing. This involved digging up some of the graveyard of St Michael's Church. The rector of St Michael's that stood in front of the cathedral wrote to the Dean because 'the pipes were laid without his permission'. In 1894 Robert Hope-Jones rebuilt the two water-powered organs as one large organ for just over £2,000. This new organ was powered by a gas engine and rotary blower. This was housed in a building next to the south wall of the choir near St John's Chapel. In 1921, now powered by electricity, the organ was proving very problematic. Arthur Harrison said: 'The organ generally was in a deplorable condition, only a very small portion of it being usable. Almost the whole of the electric mechanism was in an advanced state of decay and short circuits were to be found in almost every direction. The builder of the organ had not had much practical organ building experience. The idea of the mechanism was good but the method of carrying it out was defective.' This organ, despite some modernisation and major repairs, was played until the millennium. The decorative case and pipes designed by George Gilbert Scott can still be seen today near the exit of the crypt. Today the new organ is housed in a case at triforium level on the north side of the quire. This was built by Kenneth Tickell and finished in 2008. Currently on display near the crypt exit is the Handel Organ. This beautiful survivor was built in 1667 by Ralph Dallam for Oxford University Music School. It was rebuilt in 1774 by Samuel Green and donated to the cathedral in 1937. Further restoration work took place on this historic piece in the 1980s by Peter Wood. In a year we celebrate the organ we would highly recommend taking a break from the busy lives we lead and sitting in the cool of the cathedral to listen to one of the organs. Do look out for both the free and paid organ recitals. It's hard to imagine the cathedral without music and its beautiful organs. Our columnist Paul Harding runs Discover History which offers hands-on learning of the county's history.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Worcester's rich civic traditions are embodied in its historic regalia'
ONE of the most visible aspects of being mayor of Worcester is when you are involved in formal civic events. On a few memorable occasions the mayor parades 'in state' through the centre, usually from the Guildhall to Worcester Cathedral. Examples include Remembrance Sunday in November and the civic service held last weekend in the beautiful surroundings of the cathedral which marked the formal start of the civic year. On these occasions the mayor will dress in formal gowns and parade with councillors, other mayors, city judges, members of parliament, members of the House of Lords and other dignitaries. More: Meet the woman who creates dazzling window displays in city More: Pictures: All the business award winners from two counties More: Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Worcester theatre It is a spectacular sight, especially as the mayor is accompanied by the sword-bearer and mace bearers. Residents and tourists, who enjoy the pomp and spectacle of these special occasions, often ask who these figures are and what they do? Worcester's rich civic traditions are embodied in its historic regalia with each item steeped in symbolism and ceremony. The Sword of State, granted by King James I in 1621, is a powerful emblem of mayoral authority. Though it was stolen in 1651 and remade in 1657, the sword continues to lead major civic processions today. In 1698 the royal arms of William III were added and it was refurbished in 1996 to preserve its splendour. The role of sword-bearer, created alongside the sword in 1621, carries its own prestige. The bearer wears the cap of maintenance, a rare honour once granted by the pope to European monarchs, and now held by only seven UK cities. Worcester's cap, decorated with three ostrich feathers possibly linked to Prince Arthur who is buried in the cathedral, symbolises high civic honour. Tradition once entitled the bearer to collect free eggs and a halfpenny per salmon sold at the old fish market. The city's four civic maces, originally weapons favoured by clergy, have been used in Worcester since 1461 as symbols of authority. The current silver set was purchased in 1760 after the originals were sold. Carried by four mace bearers, the maces rest crown-up on the right shoulder to indicate the devolved authority of the crown. When the monarch is present, they are reversed crown-down on the left. Together, these ceremonial items reflect Worcester's deep-rooted civic identity, shaped by centuries of history, tradition and pride.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Worcester Cathedral last remaining peregrine falcon chick dies
The final surviving peregrine chick born in a nest on top of Worcester Cathedral has birds Peter and Peggy produced four eggs at the cathedral this spring, with the first hatching on Easter Sunday - but two chicks died last week and the fourth egg failed to remaining chick became sick and died at about 20:30 BST on Thursday, a post on Peregrine Falcons in Worcester confirmed.A 24-hour livestream of the nest was shut down on Thursday after the bird became ill and started acting lethargically, with its parents stopping feeding it. On Facebook on Friday, Peregrine Falcons in Worcester posted that they had initially thought, before it fell ill, that the last chick had managed to avoid an unknown illness which it said had "caused the demise of the other two"."Cause is unknown [for the last chick] and open to speculation until we receive results back from the lab; as stated this could take some time," the post went on to say."As feared the chick died around 20:30 last night; it has been recovered and will shortly be sent to the lab, joining its sibling for analysis."Both adult birds appeared to be fit and healthy and would be closely monitored, they of people have been watching progress in the nest box on the livestream on YouTube, with nearly 500,000 people tuning in from across the world in nesting pair, also known as Mr and Mrs P, have had three successful years producing and fledging four healthy chicks from 2022 at the cathedral. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Worcester cathedral livestream shut down as last chick falls ill
The parents of the final surviving peregrine chick born in a nest on top of Worcester Cathedral have stopped feeding birds Peter and Peggy had produced four eggs, with the first hatching on Easter Sunday. However, two chicks died last week, with the fourth failing to remaining chick became sick on Thursday, not calling for food and acting lethargically, which the parents noticed and made no attempt to feed - they will not normally feed ill chicks.A post on peregrine falcons in Worcester stated that it had been decided to shut down the livestream. The post said avian flu could be the cause of the bird's sudden sickness as it displayed three to four symptoms."No interest was shown when the adult female landed with prey and proceeded to eat it the box. "This would also explain why the chick stumbled backwards onto the ledge yesterday. "If by any chance there is a recovery we will restart, but highly unlikely," the Facebook post update comes days after the bird was reported to be doing fit and healthy."What tends to happen is, as the chicks get lower in number, one chick will get fed really well," Chris Dobbs, a wildlife expert at the cathedral previously in the nest has been livestreamed on YouTube, in a repeat of last year when nearly 500,000 people tuned in from across the world."A sad end to this year's season but looking for positive results next year," the post said. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
South Wales Argus
15-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Ex-archbishop of Canterbury urges cathedrals to ditch banks funding fossil fuels
Dr Rowan Williams, who held the post from 2002 to 2012, said he wants to see more Church of England cathedrals switching to 'more ethically grounded banking options' after several recently committed to do so. Durham, Southwark, Truro and Worcester Cathedrals said they would move away from banks which fund fossil fuels, joining Chelmsford, Derby and Sheffield Cathedrals, who either already bank with a fossil-free institution, or have committed to switch. Dr Williams said: 'It is excellent news that so many cathedrals have already signalled their willingness to change to more ethically grounded banking options. 'The public profile and reputation of cathedrals remains high, even in a society that is less openly religious than it was, so the standards of vision and hope that they set matter to everyone. 'It would be wonderful to see more joining in this witness.' His comments come as green group Christian Climate Action launches a campaign calling on cathedrals and the wider church to move away from Barclays, HSBC, Santander, Natwest and Lloyds because of their ties to fossil fuel firms. The group has already coordinated vigils and protests outside cathedrals across the UK, including Exeter, Gloucester, Hereford, Bristol and Ripon. Dr Stephen Edwards, the Dean of Worcester Cathedral, said its declaration of a climate emergency and its Eco Church programme focuses on 'the wider implications of the climate crisis and how we can make a difference across the Cathedral's activity'. Worcester Cathedral. (David Davies/PA) 'We began exploring alternative banking arrangements last year and are working to seek the best ethical and sustainable approach to financial processes. 'In doing so we live out our values as a Christian organisation proclaiming the Kingdom of God.' It comes as part of a wider trend of organisations moving to greener banks, such as The Cooperative Bank, Nationwide, Starling and Triodos. Adam Durrant, campaign's officer at Make My Money Matter – which campaigns for green finance, said: 'It's fantastic to see even more cathedrals and churches leaving these polluting high street banks. 'They are part of a growing movement demanding better from their money, including universities, charities and medical institutions.'
