Issue 2 - Winer 2017
OCTAG N MAGAZINE
#ACHRISTMASMIRACLE Page 2 THE STORY BEHIND OUR FAMOUS CHRISTMAS TREE Page 4
UPDATE ON THE GIRLS’ CHOIR Page 6 FOCUS ON THE CATHEDRAL ARCHIVIST Page 10 FREE Please take a copy
Welcome
#aChristmasMiracle: Spreading the hope and joy of Christmas to millions
from The Dean
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elcome to the Christmas and New Year edition of Octagon, and I do hope that you are finding this new format informative and interesting. Many people say to me “this is your busy time of year isn’t it?” - as if I did very little the rest of the year! Whether or not it’s busier, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany season is certainly an extra special time of year as we prepare for, and celebrate, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, rejoicing that in Jesus Christ God is with us. This Advent we have once again joined up with the Diocese of Ely to tell the Christmas story to a digital audience across the world. Entitled #aChristmasMiracle, this seasonal campaign launches on Advent Sunday (3 December) and will be running alongside the Church of England’s #GodWithUs Christmas campaign.
We are delighted to welcome many schools, groups and organisations to the Cathedral for their Christmas services and concerts, alongside our annual Christmas concerts and services that we put on. You will find details of all these, as well as those for Epiphany and Candlemas in the New Year in this edition. You are welcome to them all.
One of the highlights of #aChristmasMiracle is a short, contemporary film telling the story of the original Christmas miracle The Nativity of Christ. Supporting this are two discussion films which explore the themes of Advent and Christmas. It is hoped they will help people to engage with, and endeavour to learn more about, the true meanings of these distinct seasons. The films are further enhanced by a series of short articles published daily throughout Advent to encourage people to engage with Advent and the Christmas story more fully and deepen in discipleship. Other elements of the #aChristmasMiracle campaign include beautifully shot videos of the boys, girls and men of the Cathedral Choirs and The Gesualdo Six performing selected Christmas Carols.
This is a busy time of year and I pray that amidst all the hustle and bustle we will be able to have some moments when we can just be still and silent, and reflect on those words that conclude the Christmas gospel reading from St John “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. A very Happy Christmas to you all. The Very Reverend Mark Bonney, Dean of Ely
Regular Service Times
Sundays: 8.15am: Holy Communion 10.30am: Sung Eucharist 4pm: Evensong Daily Services: 7.30am: Morning Prayer 8am: Holy Communion 12.10pm: Holy Communion (Thursdays and Saints’ Days) 5.30pm: Evensong Cover image©Keith Heppell
All films will be available to watch on the Cathedral website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. Other resources are available to download for anyone wishing to learn more about the Christian journey from the Church of England website and via #GodWithUs 2
Christmas Day Community lunch
Candlemas | 2 February | An evening of candlelight, divine music and sacred space For the third time Ely Cathedral will be holding its popular sell-out Candlemas event. Over 7000 candles will illuminate the hallowed spaces of the Cathedral and the sounds of Ely Cathedral Choir will echo a beautiful and moving programme of music centred on this theme.
The Christmas Day Community Lunch will once again take place in the Lady Chapel from midday, after the main Christmas Day Sung Eucharist. As in previous years, we would be most grateful for volunteers for particular tasks including help with vegetable preparation on Christmas Eve and setting up, serving and clearing up on Christmas Day itself. There will be morning and afternoon roles on Christmas Day and volunteers will be allocated to one or the other according to where help is needed. If you would like to help with any of these roles, please contact Sallyann Ford: s.ford@elycathedral.org
As with previous years, we will be aided in our explorations with a series of short homilies. This year we are delighted to announce that the theologian and Dean of St Albans Cathedral, The Very Revd Dr Jeffrey John, will be our speaker. Tickets cost £25 or £15 and can be bought online through our website or by calling the Box Office on 01353 660349 (Mon-Sat 9.30am-4pm) or email: box.office@elycathedral.org. All proceeds from the event will benefit music at Ely Cathedral.
Advent at Ely Advent is the season in the Church’s year during which Christians prepare themselves spiritually in readiness for the Christmas celebrations to come. This year Advent begins on Sunday 3 December (Advent Sunday) and ends on Sunday 24 December. There are always four Sundays in Advent. Some of the actions that happen in the Cathedral for Advent are a change to the colour purple for the robes worn by priests at the Eucharist. The cloth on the front of the High Altar and on various furnishings around the building will also become purple. An Advent wreath with five candles (one for each of the four Sundays and a white one for Christmas Day) will be made and placed in the Octagon. The music (often unaccompanied) and words used in services will also change to reflect the Advent season. The usual pattern of daily worship continues but there will also be some additional candlelit, quiet and reflective services. At 9pm each Tuesday in Advent, the Compline Choir will lead the service of Compline in the Lady Chapel. This ancient service takes its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is a service of stillness before the end of the day, led by a priest and the choir. They sing in a musical style called plainsong, much as Compline has been sung for hundreds of years at the Cathedral. On Sunday 17 December at 6.30pm another gentle, meditative service will be held (also by candlelight in the Lady Chapel). This will be the annual Advent Taizé service. This style of worship originated in the Taizé community in France, but is now known around the world. Led by a solo voice and instruments, short, prayerful chants are sung, interspersed with readings and prayers. If you don’t want to join in the singing, that’s fine. Just come and listen and experience the peaceful atmosphere. Both Compline and Taizé provide a quiet space in which to focus beyond the Christmas cards, present buying and cooking. If you’ve never been to either, do consider giving them a try this year. 3
FEATURE The Story behind the Cathedral’s Christmas Tree
With over 40 years experience in growing firs, Elveden have nurtured the tree from an early age, carefully managing its strength and shape, in order to provide that perfect Christmas tree shape. Their job is to fell the tree and deliver it to the Cathedral on a flat bed lorry ready for the huge task of decorating.
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he use of the Christmas Tree is relatively modern in this country. The tradition arrived from Germany in the 18th Century, where ever-green trees were brought into the home and decorated with apples, nuts and other foods. In earlier times, evergreens were thought by Christians to symbolise various things including eternal life, the Holy Trinity, and the Tree of Paradise in the Garden of Eden. The Christmas tree is often decorated with stars and angels, to represent the Star of Bethlehem and the Angel Gabriel who brought tidings of the Saviour’s birth.
Decorating the Tree This is a mammoth project which takes two people a whole week to complete. This task is made more challenging by having to fit the decorating in between the many events and services that take place at the Cathedral. This will be Áine’s 13th year decorating the tree. She and Clare work very closely together, with Clare at the bottom co-ordinating the design while Áine works from a cherry picker placing the decorations in situ. Clare and her husband Peter also supply the thousands of decorations required, sourcing many from Christmas Fairs around Europe whilst also creating some special bespoke decorations especially for the tree. Altogether they use over 2000 decorations and 500 lights. The finished article is nothing short of eye catching.
Every year the Christmas Tree at Ely Cathedral attracts thousands of visitors as well as creating the most splendid backdrop for all the services, concerts and events which take place throughout Advent and Christmastide. In fact it has such a prominent profile across the region we thought we would try and discover a bit more about it… Choosing the Tree
On a misty autumn day in September we visited the beautiful Elveden Estate in Norfolk to choose our celebrated Christmas Tree for 2017.
Clare (pictured far left) and Peter Shropshire, who have kindly sponsored the Tree in recent years, joined us at Elveden along with our Clerk of Works, Vicki Roulinson and Áine Rodriguez (pictured left) from the Cathedral’s workforce with the unenviable task of choosing the perfect tree for the job. The decision was not an easy one but after a few hours searching and with the help of two tree specialists from the estate we finally stumbled across The Tree - a magnificent 30ft, 30 year old Norwegian Fir.
Continuing the Tradition No one at the Cathedral today can remember exactly how long ago such a magnificent Tree was erected at Ely Cathedral however we are extremely grateful to Clare and Peter who took on the sponsorship of the Tree back in 2011, carrying on the tradition started by John and Diana Barcham-Stevens in the 1980s. This is the last year that Clare and Peter will be sponsoring Ely Cathedral’s Tree and we very much hope someone else will be willing to become involved so Ely Cathedral and the surrounding community can continue to enjoy this wonderful Christmas tradition. The Christmas Tree will stay in the Cathedral until after the feast of Epiphany on 6 January. Then it will be recycled within the local community.
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CHRISTMAS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Christmas Holiday Drop-in 20 December | 10am - Midday A free drop-in to get the school holidays off to a festive start. The theme will be ‘Christmas Crafts’, including the chance to make prayer angels and paper snowflakes. Recommended for children up to the age of 10. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
There are lots of fun activities for children and families to look forward to this Christmas. Admission to any of these events is free and everyone is very welcome! Christingle Service in aid of the Children’s Society 9 December | 3pm Christingle was established in 1747 as a symbol of Christ’s light and love and has since become a popular family celebratory and community event that takes place in churches and schools across the country. It is named after the Christingles that are lit during the service made from an orange decorated with red tape, sweets and a candle. The Big Christmas Tree Light Switch-on Service! 10 December | 5.15pm Come and enjoy the biggest, most spectacular Christmas Tree in Ely as we countdown to the switching on of the lights. This popular event celebrates the festive season in song and prayer, concluding with the blessing of the magnificent tree. Take the opportunity for a family photo in front of the beautiful, sparkling tree.
Children’s Crib Services 23 December | 3pm and 24 December | 3pm The children of the Cathedral re-tell the story of Christmas in this wonderful tableau of shepherds, angels, wise men and very special VIP guests ‘Daisy’ and ‘Midnight’ from the local donkey sanctuary. Sing carols and experience the awe and wonder as we enjoy the celebrations to mark the birth of Jesus. Dressing up optional.
Christmas Stories and Songs 14 December | 10.30am Meet at the Christmas Tree A very special event for younger children re-telling the Christmas Story in the wonderful setting of Ely Cathedral. This short service will include storytelling, festive snacks plus songs and prayers in preparation for Christmas. Recommended for children up to the age of 5 with their parents or carers. Community Christmas Carol Sing-a-long 16 December | 2pm Forget the Christmas shopping for an hour! Come and singa-long to your favourite carols accompanied by the brilliant Littleport Brass Band. With Christmas music, readings and prayers.
Ely Cathedral Junior Church The children of Ely Cathedral will be preparing for Christmas on Sunday 26 November, 3, 10, 17 December. They meet in Powchers Hall during the 10.30am Eucharist for activities, stories and crafts exploring the story of Jesus. If you would like to come along just ring June on 01353 656959.
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MUSIC AND WORSHIP Ely Cathedral Girls’ Choir
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After a busy and successful year, we said a sad farewell to our 12th group of leaving girl choristers in July 2017. We were extremely proud of the three girls who have moved on to pastures new: our two, year 13 Senior Choral Scholars, Libby and Lucy, (1) have headed off to university. Libby is now a soprano Choral Scholar at Royal Holloway University, in what is arguably the finest undergraduate choir in the country, and she is reading for a degree in English and American Literature. Lucy has moved to Durham to study Psychology and sings as a choral scholar in Hatfield College. We also waved year 11 chorister Sarah (1) off to London to do her sixth form at the prestigious Italia Conti Theatre School. I have no doubt we’ll see her singing on the West End stage soon. Our last farewell was to the lovely Mr Goodwin, our assistant organist, who has moved to London to train as a secondary school music teacher. Three probationers joined us in September (2), all of whom have particular connections with the Cathedral and the Girls’ Choir. Abigail, in year 9, is the granddaughter of Rosemary, Lady Hughes, one of the Cathedral’s first Lay Canons. Alice, also in year 9, is the granddaughter of one of ECGC’s patrons, none other than Christopher Robinson CVO, CBE (3), former Director of Music at St John’s College, Cambridge. We also welcomed our first girl from the school’s international division, Grace, in year 11. Grace hails from Tennessee and was recommended to us by the parents of Parker Ramsay, sixth form organ scholar at the Cathedral about ten years ago. Parker, also a harpist, played for ECGC’s annual ‘Ceremony of Carols’ on more than one occasion, before going up to Cambridge as organ scholar of King’s College. He then returned to America to study at Oberlin College, Ohio and the Juilliard School, New York for his master’s degrees. All three probationers are settling in well and enjoying life in Etheldreda House. At the beginning of the Michaelmas term we also installed year 13 Senior Choral Scholars Maggie and Zoë, (4) and Mr Aaron Shilson, our new assistant organist. Mr Shilson has held posts at Manchester and St David’s Cathedrals and is already very much a part of the ECGC community. Another highlight included welcoming the Christmas season even earlier than the supermarkets by recording carols for YouTube three whole weeks before Halloween. We are looking forward to singing Evensong in St Andrew’s Church, Bedford on 10 December, where year 10 chorister Miriam’s father is the vicar. (Their recently retired Director of Music is the composer Paul Edwards whose music we sing regularly.) In the last week of term, we travel to London to participate in the annual charity carol concert for the Great Ormond Street Hospital. We finish off the term with Evensong on Sunday 17 December featuring Britten’s ‘Ceremony of Carols’, with the wonderful accompanist Anne Denholme, official harpist to the Prince of Wales. Further Information about the Girls’ Choir can be found at: www.kingsely.org/senior/choristers/ecgc-girls www.elycathedral.org/music/ely-cathedral-girls-choir 6
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MUSIC AND WORSHIP Epiphany | 6 January 2018 The Feast of the Epiphany falls 12 days after Christmas on 6 January. The word Epiphany means ‘to be made manifest’ or ‘to be revealed’. During the season of Epiphany Christ is revealed to us through his birth, the Visitation of the Magi, his baptism by John and the first miracle of his ministry which, according to John’s gospel, was the turning of water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. In all of these examples, Jesus is revealed anew and in a particular way, for who he really is: through his birth as the word made flesh; through the star and the witness of the wise men revealing him as ‘King of Kings’ and ‘Lord of Lords’; through the voice of God and the descending Spirit at his baptism revealing him to be Son of God; through the miracle at Cana revealing the abundance of God’s love and Christ’s power over creation. Epiphany is a rich and multi-layered season which helps us reflect more fully on our incarnate Lord and for Christians it provides space to expand our Christmas reflections beyond the baby in the manger on 25 December. The season culminates in the festival of Candlemas. Simeon and Anna recognise Jesus in the temple as the ‘light to lighten the gentiles’ and we are reminded that this identity is related to his passion and his journey to the Cross. At Ely Cathedral there will be services as normal with the celebration of Epiphany itself on Sunday 7 January and an Epiphanytide Procession on Sunday 14 January. The wider themes of the Epiphany will be explored at services during January through seasonal music, readings, prayers and preaching.
Ash Wednesday | 14 February 2018 ‘Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.’ These are the words that Christians will hear on Ash Wednesday as their foreheads are marked in ash with the sign of the Cross at the beginning of Lent. Echoing the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, during Lent we are called to turn away from all those things that mar God’s image in us and separate us from God. We are instead called to turn (or repent) and be faithful to Christ. The ashes, made from burning the previous years’ palm crosses are intended to remind us of our propensity to sin and our own mortality. Instead of being eaten up by anger, jealousy, hatred and bitterness, or putting our faith in money, possessions and things that don’t matter, Lent calls us to get things in perspective. There is an urgency to live in a new way before God or it will be too late, remembering each day what is really important for human flourishing: forgiveness, peace, justice, hope, kindness, charity, love. God in Christ wills us to turn away from the darkness and towards the light, living a new and faithful life ‘in him and through him and in service to the world’. Ash Wednesday is considered a day of obligation for Christians. There are services here at Ely Cathedral for people to make their Communion and receive ashing at 8am,12.10pm or 7.30pm. 7
EVENTS / CONCERTS ‘THROUGH MUSIC WE CARE’ Friday 8 December | 7.30pm
SING-A-LONG-A SOUND OF MUSIC Saturday 27 January | 7.30pm
A special Christmas Concert in aid of The Household Cavalry Foundation, featuring The Band Of The Household Cavalry, Morriston Orpheus Choir and organist James Banville. A unique opportunity to hear the fine military band outside London and their normal ceremonial duties alongside one of the top male voice choirs in the country. Enjoy them individually and together performing a majestic and powerful band and choir repertoire, interspersed with wonderful Christmas music. James Banville is an upand-coming organist who has performed in many of the country’s finest cathedrals. It will be hosted by well-known broadcaster Alan Dedicoat, the voice of Strictly Come Dancing.
Come and enjoy a screening of classic film ’The Sound of Music’, sing-a-long version, with ‘The Voices’ choir in habits. Shall we ponder the problem with Maria and wonder whether the Mother Superior will ever Climb Every Mountain. Sing your heart out with friends and family - fancy dress is encouraged! Drinks, snacks and interactive bags will be available to purchase on the night.
SPRING EXHIBITIONS 1 - 28 February
SPARKLING VALENTINE’S CONCERT BY CANDLELIGHT Saturday 10 February | 7.30pm
100 Hearts for 100 Years South Transept SSAFA the Armed Forces charity brings their collection to Ely which will include 100 Hearts, some dating back to the First World War. The Exhibition will also include talks and workshops with Lt Col Neil Stace (Great British Sewing Bee Finalist).
Concert Pianist Warren MailleySmith returns to Ely Cathedral for his ninth annual Sparkling Valentine’s Concert by Candlelight. This year he is joined by a group of outstanding string players in a performance of Mozart’s stunning Piano Concerto K414 in A major. The programme will also feature a number of popular classical masterpieces by Beethoven, Pachelbel, Rachmaninov, Chopin and Mendelssohn to pull at the heart strings with a special performance by British soprano Susan Parkes, finishing with a tango.
To End All Wars South West Transept A dynamic new art installation from OuseLife commemorating the impact of the First World War in Cambridgeshire. With a cascade of 100 banners, each an individual artwork and reminiscent of prayer flags, the installation forms a moving tribute to those involved in WW1. 8
RETROSPECTIVE / PREVIEW A Celebration of Animals
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undreds of animals and over 300 people came to give thanks for all creatures great and small on Sunday 24 September during Creationtide, a season in the church year when we are encouraged to give thanks for the earth and all that is in it. This year events included Harvest Festival, a day marking the feast of St Francis of Assisi and a special ‘Space’ service exploring environmental themes through poetry. During the Celebration of Animals we welcomed back Daisy the Donkey and her friend Flora, hearing from their guardians about the incredible work of the Donkey Sanctuary, and finding out about a day-in-the-life-of a donkey. Canon Jessica reflected on how animals lived ‘in the present moment’ and how we could learn something from their love of life. The service was led by Canon Vicky and Percy, who once again proved his liturgical credentials, and the Ely Imps performed ‘The Donkey Carol’ by John Rutter. During the service the animals seemed completely at home in the Cathedral and joined in the various applause with perfectly timed barks. The collection from the service was shared between Guide Dogs for the Blind, The Donkey Sanctuary, Wood Green Animal Shelter and K9.
Thursday Evening Organ Recitals
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ly Cathedral’s fine organ will be heard in a series of Thursday evening recitals throughout 2018. Each programme will reflect a particular theme, allowing the performers to explore a diverse range of repertoire and to exploit the many sounds and colours of the instrument to the full.
The series begins on Thursday 18 January with a complete performance by Edmund Aldhouse of Messiaen’s great cycle La Nativité du Seigneur. Other recitals will include Dupré’s monumental Symphonie-Passion played by Paul Trepte, a programme of Themes and Variations for organ given by Sarah MacDonald and a selection of music marking the centenary of the World War I Armistice performed by Aaron Shilson. The distinguished Organist of Norwich Cathedral, David Dunnett, appears in September, offering a complete performance of Flor Peeters’ rarely heard Lied Symphony. Recitals are free of charge and all begin at 7.30pm. Full details will appear in due course on the Cathedral website.
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FOCUS ON Elizabeth Stazicker Honorary Cathedral Archivist
Who are you? I am Elizabeth Stazicker, the Honorary Archivist (part time) at Ely Cathedral. I have always worked as an archivist, primarily in the Public Services sector. As a small child I was already fascinated with history, and cadged lifts with my father around Norfolk to look at parish churches. I went on to read history at Oxford, and discovered the vital importance of written records, so a career in archives was an obvious choice. What brought you to Ely Cathedral? After retiring as Cambridgeshire’s County Archivist, I returned to looking at churches with Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust. From that I was headhunted! And who could refuse the opportunity to work in and discover the history of our Cathedral? What does your role as Archivist at Ely Cathedral involve? My job is all about information; making sure we keep what we need, know where it is, and share it. I collect, register and preserve records which are of long-term interest and importance. Most records come from the Cathedral staff, but many are given us. Enquiries come both from the staff, and from a very diverse wider world, academics and ordinary visitors. Subjects have included the Lady Chapel ceiling, our earlier Cathedral lighting system (whose designer went on to light Sydney Opera House!), family history, and many more. Helping enquirers is part, for me, of the Cathedral’s mission, as is building up information from them to help with future questions.
The records I look after in the Cathedral are mainly younger than I am – paper files, books, drawings, prints photographs and some computer records – because history does not stop, and future generations will want to know about ours. Older records are carefully preserved at Cambridge University Library. I try to form a bridge between enquirers here and the library. I also look after some very useful published books – but archives are my speciality. They are special because they are created as part of the ordinary work of an organisation, and have an unbiased, and often hardly-imaginably broad, information value. For example, a written order of 1277 told the Sacrist to stop giving out Candlemas candles to everyone in the town, as it took too much wax; so we know that around that time, the town’s population must have increased greatly. If the order hadn’t been recorded, and the record kept, we would not have known. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? There are so many! It’s very pleasing when a researcher finds something that really helps them, or when I can help Chapter Office colleagues with something they need to know. It is especially rewarding when some of our excellent cathedral guides take on research topics, and I can share in the resulting addition to our corporate knowledge about the Cathedral. They do the work, and I share in the fun! And it’s always nice receiving new records – presents! How many pieces are there in the archive? What a difficult question – many thousands, depending on how we define a ‘piece’? If I laid out the containers stored here (mainly post1950 records) side by side, starting at the Cathedral south entrance, they would stretch down beyond the Priory; if we put with them the earlier records, cared for at the University Library, they’d stretch well down Back 10
Hill. That’s why we have a reference system and ask researchers to quote it. Otherwise anyone wanting to find the same item would be looking for a needle in a very large hay-stack indeed! What is your favourite piece in the archive? Because I have a quirky sense of humour my favourite piece is one which is not really an archive. Archives are the records that an organisation or person is duty bound to keep safe and preserve, but my favourite is something that was lost, forgotten, and rediscovered by chance. An electrician working in an attic space in the North range a few years ago found under the floor boards a letter and a playing card, the two of hearts. It was an early 18th century love letter, written to a local serving girl by her beau, who had to leave for London, to be apprenticed. He became a master clockmaker. She was almost certainly servant to a Cathedral Canon. She must have been heartbroken to lose her letter; I am delighted we have it. I only hope he married her eventually! What is the oldest piece in the archive? Our oldest document is a charter of 973 from the Saxon King Edgar, relating to land in West Wratting, once part of Ely Abbey’s very extensive estate. It is carefully preserved in our archive at Cambridge University Library.
In addition to being Cathedral archivist, Elizabeth looks after the archives at King’s Ely and also works as a consultant for private clients. Her Cathedral office is tucked away up in the Triforium overlooking the choir and holds a fascinating amount of detail and facts.
WORKS UPDATE South Nave Aisle Re-Roofing Project
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he South Nave Aisle project, which started over the summer 2017, is visibly progressing with the external elevation of the South Nave gradually disappearing beneath the substantial scaffold construction underway in the Bishop’s Garden. To date this has enabled access for the Cathedral Archaeologist to record stonework in some areas. Internally, the scaffolding work within the Stained Glass Museum has been completed and the museum re-opened.
The scaffold supports a platform at high level giving access to the underside of the roof timbers. So far, analysis has revealed timbers of a mid-13th century date in one area, which is of great interest. Recording and investigation of the timbers continues, following which careful conservation and repair will be carried out as necessary, as well as glazing and masonry repairs to the windows. Once the external scaffold is complete and the recording of the elevation, masonry cleaning and repair will be possible in addition to the removal and replacement of the lead roof covering, beneath the cover of a temporary roof. This is an extensive project which has been vital to preserving the fabric on the South façade of the Cathedral and is expected to continue until spring 2018 at a cost of £875,000. Having secured over £600,000 in funding, £500,000 of which was the result of an application to the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund, with further donations from the Headley Trust and an anonymous private donor, the balance of around £260,000 being funded by Ely Cathedral Trust. As we enter a very busy period within the Cathedral we thank all visitors and users of the building for their cooperation and understanding whilst these essential works are carried out. We also thank the Bishop and the Bishop’s Office for their patience and for granting access to enable the external element of the works.
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DECEMBER
Friday 1 - 25 January ‘Star of Bethlehem’ Laser Art Installation Saturday 2 Ely Cathedral Centre Christmas Fair 10am 11am Papworth Hospital Charity’s Christmas Carol Service Sunday 3 - 1st Sunday of Advent 6pm Advent Procession with Carols Tuesday 5 9pm Compline (Lady Chapel) Friday 8 7.30pm ‘Through Music We Care’ - A Special Christmas Concert Band of The Household Cavalry Saturday 9 12.30pm Walsingham Cell Mass (Lady Chapel) 3pm Children’s Society Christingle Sunday 10 - 2nd Sunday of Advent 5.15pm The Big Christmas Tree Lights Switch-on Service! Tuesday 12 1pm Pre-School Christmas Celebration 9pm Compline (Lady Chapel) Thursday 14 10.30am Christmas Stories and Songs 5.30pm Festal Evensong to Mark the 25th Anniversary of The Order of St Etheldreda Saturday 16 2pm Community Christmas Carol Sing-a-long Sunday 17 - 3rd Sunday of Advent 4pm Evensong featuring Britten’s Ceremony of Carols 6.30pm Advent Taizé Tuesday 19 9pm Compline (Lady Chapel) Wednesday 20 10am Christmas Holiday Drop-in Friday 22 7.30pm ‘Hark! the Herald’ Carol Concert Saturday 23 3pm Children’s Crib Service I 6pm Cathedral Carol Service I Sunday 24 - Christmas Eve 3pm Children’s Crib Service II 6pm Cathedral Carol Service II 11.30pm Midnight Mass Monday 25 - Christmas Day 8.15am Holy Communion 10.30am Sung Eucharist Midday Community Lunch 4pm Evensong Tuesday 26 - Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr Wednesday 27 - John, Apostle and Evangelist Thursday 28 - The Holy Innocents 12.10pm Holy Communion Sunday 31 - 1st Sunday of Christmas 4pm Service of Readings and Carols led by members of the local community
JANUARY
Monday 1 - The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus 12.10pm Holy Communion Sunday 7 - The Epiphany Monday 8 - The Baptism of Christ 12.10pm Holy Communion Wednesday 10 1.10pm Lady Chapel Lunchtime Concert Drake University Chamber Choir Thursday 11 1.10pm Lunchtime Piano Concert Stephen Armstrong and friends Saturday 13 12.30pm Walsingham Cell Mass (Lady Chapel) Sunday 14 - 2nd Sunday of Epiphany 4pm Epiphanytide Procession Thursday 18 7.30pm Organ Recital Edmund Aldhouse Sunday 21 - 3rd Sunday of Epiphany Wednesday 24 1.10pm Lady Chapel Lunchtime Concert Randolph-Macon College Choir Thursday 25- The Conversion of Paul 12.10pm Holy Communion 7.30pm Organ Recital Saturday 27 7.30pm Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music Sunday 28 - The Presentation of Christ in the Temple 10.30am Procession and Sung Eucharist with Consecration of New Octagon Altar
FEBRUARY
Thursday 1 - Wednesday 28 100 Hearts for 100 Years Exhibition and To End All Wars Exhibition Friday 2 7.30pm A ‘Candlemas’ Devotion Sunday 4 - 2nd Sunday before Lent Monday 5 7.30pm Faith in the Questions Tour, Riding Lights Theatre Company, Scientists in Congregations Saturday 10 12.30pm Walsingham Cell Mass (Lady Chapel) 7.30pm Warren Mailley Smith Sparkling Valentine’s Concert Sunday 11 - Sunday next before Lent Wednesday 14 - Ash Wednesday 12.10pm Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes 7.30pm Sung Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes Sunday 18 - 1st Sunday of Lent Tuesday 20 9pm Compline (Lady Chapel) Thursday 22 7.30pm Organ Recital Sunday 25 - 2nd Sunday of Lent Tuesday 27 9pm Compline (Lady Chapel) Ely Cathedral, The Chapter House, The College, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4DL 01353 667735 | www.elycathedral.org Follow us on
The Green
Man Trail
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f you are visiting us soon why not try our brand new ‘Green Man’ Trail? Pick up a leaflet and see if you can find all 12 figures inside the Cathedral. The leaflet will also tell you more about the history of these intriguing figures of which approx 70 have been found in the Cathedral so far. Definitions of Green Men (or foliated heads) differ between authors on the subject, but typically they consist of a human male or animal head which has foliage appearing from the mouth, eyes or ears, or where foliage forms some integral part of the head or face.
Our trail will take you from early 12th century examples to some late copies from the 19th century. Those included are often in areas where there are others, so it is worth taking a look around at each spot to see what else you can find...
Octagon Magazine
Copies are available in the Cathedral and from the Cathedral Gift Shops, Refectory Café and Almonry Restaurant. Electronic copies can be viewed at www.elycathedral.org. Comments or suggestions for Octagon are welcome. Please direct them to Maddie Cox, 01353 660375 | news@elycathedral.org Issue 3 - Spring edition available early March