Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter:Layout 1
23/9/11
FRIENDS of ARUNDEL CATHEDRAL
CORNERSTONE Autumn 2011
10:11
Page 1
Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter:Layout 1
Red silk cope, brought from India by Lady Ann Kerr in 1880. Front cover: white silk cope, also from India.
23/9/11
10:11
Page 2
Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter:Layout 1
23/9/11
10:11
Page 3
Dear Friends The last issue of Cornerstone focused on the removal of the fleche, a major project about which further details are given in the Chairman’s report on pages 4 and 5. This issue reverts to theme of celebrating the Cathedral’s design and decoration in the widest sense, concentrating on the vestments that form an integral part of the liturgy, and contribute significantly to the visual richness of our worship. The Cathedral has over the years amassed a fine collection of vestments, including examples from Italy, Spain, France, India and Russia. Vestments are a sacramental in the sense that they are set apart and blessed by the Church ‘to excite good thoughts and to increase devotion in those who see and those who use them’. Not surprisingly the design of vestments, copes and chasubles in particular, has provided the opportunity for magnificent displays of design and craftsmanship. A full set of vestments consists of a dozen separate items, and those illustrated here represent only a fraction of the Cathedral’s collection. Some are too fragile for normal wear, but the majority are in regular use at services throughout the year. Among those responsible for their good care is Michael Rycroft, whose expertise and co-operation has been most helpful to me in preparing this publication. Oliver Hawkins Editor
Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter:Layout 1
23/9/11
Chasuble from a set of vestments made for the opening of the Cathedral (then the church of Our Lady and St Philip Neri) in 1873.
10:11
Page 4
Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter:Layout 1
23/9/11
A dalmatic from the same set, made in Rome, using gold and silver thread.
10:11
Page 5
Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter:Layout 1
23/9/11
10:11
Page 6
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Grants for the Benefit of the Cathedral by the Friends of Arundel Cathedral Thanks to the careful stewardship of the Council of the Friends over the years, the funds which have been donated to the Friends have, despite market turbulence, increased considerably in value. The largest donation was received by the Friends, in the third year of its existence, from a diocesan trust and represented the proceeds of sale of land next to St Mary’s Hall. But there have been many other gifts over the years, for all of which we are grateful. As a result, the Friends have always been able to present the Cathedral with a grant each year to help the maintenance and repair of the building: the parish of Arundel is not a large one in terms of the number of the parishioners, and could not maintain the Cathedral without support both from the Friends and from the Diocese. The number of members of the Friends has ,however, been falling over recent years, despite efforts to increase the membership and, ironically, the Council feel that this maybe partly because we are well funded to provide the annual grant at the level we have been maintaining over the past few years. The funds of the Friends are not there simply to provide an annual grant, they are there to support the Cathedral and its needs in whatever way is required and would be most beneficial for it - but, of course, in a sustainable context. The Cathedral has recently been faced with two very serious challenges and, after careful enquiry, it became clear to members of the Council that, without some support from the Friends, these challenges could not be met. The first was the replacement of the fleche which crowns the Cathedral. When this question first arose, it was thought to be necessary because the last repairs were made in the 1970s, when a fibre-glass cover and a steel framework were put in place. Further investigations showed that the 1970’s works had themselves created more damage to the fleche and it was in a dangerous condition. The need for repair was very urgent. Not long afterwards, it became clear that if we did not modernise the facilities at St Mary’s Hall – a vital part of the Cathedral’s ministry given that the geographical location of the Cathedral is so far from the centre of the Diocese and, therefore, the Hall is a very important facility to be able to welcome and shelter those who come to the Cathedral’s services and events – was facing almost immediate closure by the
Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter:Layout 1
23/9/11
10:11
Page 7
authorities unless it was substantially renovated, and the services renewed to modern hygiene standards. Again, the cost was such that it was not going to be possible to meet it from the funds available to the Cathedral Parish itself and the Diocese. Exceptionally, therefore, the Council has authorised the making of two large one-off grants, one to assist with the renovation of the fleche and one to assist with the renovation and modernisation of St Mary’s Hall and its facilities. We did so, having taken the advice of our financial and investment advisers, on the basis that after the making of those grants, the funds remaining – still very sizeable - would still be able to provide a sufficient return for the Friends to make an annual grant to the Cathedral every year and we would return to the task of growing them again. The Council of the Friends has obtained an assurance from the Diocese that should St Mary’s Hall ever be disposed of, every endeavour will be made to ensure that the monies donated by the Friends are returned to the Friends. (Such a disposal is in no way contemplated, of course, but it seems a prudent approach for the Council to take). It is the hope of the Council that when members of the Diocese perceive that we are doing something more active to maintain and beautify our Cathedral – which is a gem among the Catholic Cathedrals in England – and, just as importantly, to preserve its ministry - more will be encouraged to join the Friends and swell our numbers again: membership of the Friends is after all not just about the money side, as important as that may be. It is also our hope that when circumstances allow we will be able to launch a public appeal, both to take our funds back to their previous level, but also to provide us with further resources to enable us to undertake or support other works at the Cathedral as they are needed. It is not the Council’s intention to make any further large grants though we will hope to tie future annual grants to particular items or projects. We urge all our fellow members of the Diocese to become members of the Friends and therefore, in a special way, supporters of the Cathedral. Subscriptions and legacies will be carefully stewarded – and immensely appreciated! Patrick Burgess Chairman of the Council
Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter:Layout 1
23/9/11
White cope with cruciform embroidery; detail of an unidentified saint
10:11
Page 8
Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter:Layout 1
Another unidentified saint from the same cope.
23/9/11
10:11
Page 9
Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter:Layout 1
23/9/11
White jewelled Italian chasuble, decorated with clusters of glass diamonds. Back cover: Seventeenth century Russian Orthodox cope, displayed in the Great Exhibition of 1851, and bought later by Duke Henry
10:11
Page 10
Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter:Layout 1
23/9/11
10:11
Page 11
NOTICE OF MEETING Notice is hereby given that the thirteenth ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Friends of Arundel Cathedral will be held at St Philip’s School, London Road, Arundel, West Sussex on Sunday 16 October 2011 at 4.30pm.
AGENDA 1. Welcome 2. To consider and approve the Minutes of the AGM held on 17 October 2010 3. To receive the Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2011 4. To appoint haysmacintyre as reporting accountants, and to authorise the Council to fix their remuneration 5. To hear the views of members on the prioritisation of projects to be funded 6. To elect members of the Council 7. Any other business Tea will be served before the meeting. J F Brotherton Secretary September 2011
In accordance with the Articles of Association, Mr G Monet and Mr J Donovan retire from the Council at the AGM; Mr Donovan offers himself for re-election. Nominations, in writing are invited for other members who wish to stand for election to the Council: they should be addressed to the Secretary of the Company at the Friends Office to arrive before the meeting, please. Nominees must be members of the Friends and have given their consent.
ANNUAL MASS IN HONOUR OF ST. PHILIP HOWARD The Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral at 3.00pm on this day for the intentions of the members of the Friends.
Arundel Cathedral Cornerstone Newsletter:Layout 1
23/9/11
10:11
Page 12
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