Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter winter 2010/11:Layout 1
FRIENDS of ARUNDEL CATHEDRAL
CORNERSTONE Winter 2010/2011
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Dear Friends Those parishioners watching the fleche, the small central spire, being lifted off the Cathedral roof last autumn will have seen exactly why the work of the Friends is so important. Much of the necessary maintenance work on the building is virtually invisible, but here was a dramatic demonstration of a major repair in progress. Watching the enormous crane in operation one could not but wonder at the achievements of the Victorians, working with technologies not hugely different to their medieval predecessors. One or two of the spectators, like myself, could remember witnessing a similar lift-off thirty or so years ago, when the fleche was first found to need replacing. We were told then that the new construction, of steel and glassfibre, would last far longer than the original timber and lead. How those Victorian builders would have smiled to see how poorly the new supermaterials have fared in comparison with their own traditional methods! Timber and lead might not have had the glamour of new technology, but when one reads of the care with which every kind of timber was selected it becomes clear that a traditional approach was not without a high level of expertise. And it is back to timber and lead for the new fleche, which we hope to see reinstated some time in the Spring. Needless to say the costs of the work will be substantial, and whatever contribution is eventually forthcoming from the Friends will be enormously helpful. Once again we urge members to think of family or friends who might be interested in joining us, and also to consider the possibility of making a legacy in favour of the Friends, details of which can be found on page 8. Further information on the fleche project is included in Canon Tim’s annual report, on pages 5, 6 and 8. Oliver Hawkins Editor
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THE SPIRE THAT NEVER WAS Looking at the Cathedral today it is difficult to imagine how different it would have appeared if the architect’s original intentions had been fulfilled. As shown in the drawing opposite, Joseph Aloysius Hansom’s initial design included a towering spire over the north-west porch. Duke Henry was certainly determined to make a major statement with his church, selecting a position with maximum visual impact. His choice of site, necessitating the controversial purchase of land not already belonging to the Norfolk estate, indicates how keen he was that the building should be as visible as possible. Hansom himself was not without architectural ambition, having already designed what was believed to be the loftiest spire built in England since the Reformation, over 300 feet high, in his St Walburge’s church in Preston. But his plans for Arundel had to be modified when on closer examination of the site it became evident that the foundations would not bear the weight of the proposed tower, and the design in its present form was agreed. Few people would regret the change. Situated as it is on high ground the Cathedral has plenty of visual presence, complementing rather than dominating the town’s skyline. Travellers from the east of the county will be struck by the similarity of the view of Arundel Cathedral with the view of Lancing College chapel (by R H Carpenter, built at exactly the same time as Arundel). As with Arundel the original plan for Lancing included a large North tower, abandoned for the same reasons. But a great tower, as Pevsner remarks, ‘would have wrecked the sheer soaring composition’ of Lancing Chapel. The same could be said of Arundel. Pevsner’s own prejudices prevented him from seeing anything to admire in Arundel Cathedral. But his view has not been widely shared, and we can take considerable pride in Duke Henry’s vision, and the skill with which his architect brought it into being. At the same time we can be thankful that it’s not a full-scale spire that is having to be replaced!
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REPORT FOR THE YEAR Canon Tim Madeley, Cathedral Dean The major item of news for this year has been the removal of the fleche (see editorial, page 1). This whole process has not been without its dramas, which inevitably have led to delays. The fleche was due to be removed in September but on careful examination from the scaffolding it was realised that the condition of the structure was far worse than at first appeared. Far from being decorative, the fibreglass cladding was now keeping the whole structure together, due to the extreme corrosion of the steel frame. The structural engineers feared that one big storm would have had the whole 40-foot fleche tumbling to the ground, either onto the street or through the roof. Providentially we have caught the problem just in time. Bad design of the structure in the 1970s has meant now that the whole of it will need replacing, not just the cladding. This has resulted in the timescale being extended to just after Easter for the new one to be lifted in place and also a consequent rise in price, currently standing at ÂŁ242,373. Happily the lift of the fleche went without a hitch on 7 October, and the structure is now at Shepton Mallet with the lead-working contractors. The bell was also removed and this has made its way to its original foundry at Whitechapel for maintenance. The resulting hole in the roof has been sealed to prevent water ingress. For further information on the work have a look at the displays in the cathedral kindly provided by the architects. The Cathedral roof, particularly over the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, continues to be a major problem. Having thought we had resolved the issue by removing an offending pigeon nest, the problem of water ingress got worse within two days of this action. New contractors are now being employed to regularly clean up the gutters from leaves and bird waste. The use of grilles, cages and brushes are also being investigated to stop blockages. Until this problem is sorted out no further action on refurbishing the Blessed Sacrament area will be taken. The lighting in the Cathedral has been degenerating at an alarming rate despite being only eleven years old. The Diocese therefore has authorised a whole new control system to be fitted. This new system is infinitely cheaper than rebuilding
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the existing one. The external flood-lighting has had major work done on it to make it work. Much of the roof lighting was out of action and other parts of the system have not been working for at least five years. Constant electrical faults have recently been traced to a damaged cable running under the north side path. Plans for its rectification are in hand. The next major project currently being assessed is the rebuild of St Mary’s Hall. The initial designs and costings have been drawn up by our architects and will enable the lower floor to be expanded northwards into hillside upon which the hall was built. This will be in a similar manner to what has been achieved at our nearby school but on a much smaller scale. The principle of this expansion is to make both upper and lower floors available for simultaneous letting. The projected cost at the moment is £651,000 and the parish,The Friends and the Diocese are currently investigating funding. Whilst on the subject of funding, once again it is pleasing to see that The Friends of Arundel Cathedral have provided the Diocese with £43,000 towards the maintenance and development of the cathedral. This money will be spent on the increased costs of the fleche project and other vital work. The Diocese and the parish are very grateful for your support. The celebration of Corpus Christi and the carpet of flowers was again a huge success despite potential difficulties of people away due to the half term holiday and at Chichester Cathedral for their flower festival. Great news was that we gained a number of other helpers and flower arrangers from neighbouring parishes who did a very good job on the side displays. Once again the carpet was completed in record time on the Tuesday by about 12.30pm due to a dedicated team of youngsters happy to help on their half term holiday. After much effort, the new cathedral guide book has now been published by Pitkins. They have done a wonderful job and we are extremely pleased with the outcome. The cathedral was very popular with the BBC in 2010 with the now well publicised Songs of Praise being filmed to coincide with the papal visit. This was shown on Sunday 11 September. The second programme filmed at the same time was shown on BBC1 on Sunday 16 January 2011 and had a more
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Arundel based theme including one of the hymns composed by St Philip Howard in the Tower of London. Over the year we have had Mediaeval Baebes, Libera, the usual selection of choral societies singing in the Cathedral and of course The Friends of Arundel Cathedral Christmas Service was a highlight last December. Please make a note of this years’ Christmas service on the evening of Friday 9 December and also our joint summer event with The Friends of St Cuthman’s at the Diocesan Retreat House in Coolham on Sunday 3 July. Please do advertise these events in your parishes and encourage people to come. Bishop Kieran will be celebrating Mass here during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday and at the Chrism Mass (April 20) to which you are very welcome. Once again, thank you for your support and please feel free to drop in and support any cathedral event during 2011 and invite your family, friends and fellow parishioners to do the same. We look forward to giving you a warm welcome.
BEQUESTS TO THE FRIENDS OF ARUNDEL CATHEDRAL The effectiveness of the Friends benefits greatly from members remembering the charity in their wills. Anyone considering leaving a bequest may find the following notes helpful. Because the Friends of Arundel Cathedral is a registered charity bequests are exempt from inheritance tax, and can reduce the overall tax liability of your estate. In order to avoid any confusion the following form of words is suggested: ‘I give to the Trustees of the Friends of Arundel Cathedral, Cathedral House, Parson’s Hill, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AY, being registered Charity Number 1078149, the sum of ….. free of tax, on trust for such charitable purposes in connection with the Friends of Arundel as the Trustees in their absolute discretion think fit, and the receipt of the Treasurer or other officer of the Trust shall be a full discharge to my executors in respect of the same’..
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The Friends of Arundel Cathedral registered as a company Limited by guarantee and not having a share capital (No 3792834). Registered Charity No 1078149 The Friends’ Office, Cathedral House, Parsons Hill, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AY Telephone: 01903 884567 Email: aruncathfriends@btconnect.com website: www.arundelcathedralfriends.org
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