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OCTAG N MAGAZINE
CHRISTMAS AT ELY Page 4 RESTORATION WORKS UPDATE Page 5
EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD EXHIBITION 2019 Page 9 FOCUS ON DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION NICKY AYSCOUGH Page 10 Issue 6 - Winter 2018
Welcome
Cathedral Appoints Catering Manager
from The Dean
Over the years if I had been given a pound for every time someone has said to me at Christmas, ‘it’s your busy time of year, isn’t it?’ - I’d be a rich man. Clergy sometimes get a little irritated by the comment, because it suggests that somehow the rest of the year isn’t busy. However, it is certainly true that there’s a lot going on in the Cathedral over the next few weeks and we’re delighted that’s the case, and look forward to welcoming you to the Cathedral to share in our celebrations during this Advent, Christmas and Epiphany season.
Adrian Scarlett joined the Cathedral team at the end of October in the newly created role of Catering Manager where he is responsible for the day to day running, and ongoing development of, The Almonry and the Refectory Café. Adrian brings a wealth of experience in restaurant management, cooking, food innovation, leadership and business catering. He started his career in Cornwall working as a Chef de Partie in a busy hotel. His first position in Cambridge was working for Loch Fyne before becoming Executive Chef/Manager at Cambs Cuisine, an award winning privately owned company, with overall responsibility for three prominent Cambridge based restaurants - The Cambridge Chop House, St John’s Chophouse and Smokeworks. More recently Adrian has worked as Chef Manager for a large Cambridge Law practice overseeing all their catering requirements from staff lunches to boardroom dinners, charity events and business receptions.
There’s a lot going on in the Cathedral, and there will be a lot going on in our personal and family lives, as the pressures mount to get everything done in time for the various festive celebrations. It will be exhausting! I hope that somewhere along the way we can each just take a little time to draw breath, step back for a moment and consider the enormity of what this season has at its heart - the stupendous truth contained in the words of the Christmas gospel ‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have beheld his glory, full of grace and truth.’ All that’s offered here during this season is only offered in the hope and prayer that we may catch some glimpse of what God does for us in Jesus Christ as he is one with us and shares our life, that we may share his.
Adrian will have a desk in the Old Library but can also be found in the kitchens and front-of-house in both the Refectory and the Almonry. Working alongside the existing catering teams, Adrian will focus on building on the success and reputation of these businesses. With lots of ideas and enthusiasm to bring to the table, he will be keen to hear any feedback and comments.
Happy Christmas and a Joyful New Year.
Music and Worship Administrator
The Very Reverend Mark Bonney, Dean of Ely
In September we were glad to welcome Harley Jones to the Chapter House as Music And Worship Administrator. He shares the post with Frances Ascroft-Walker, both working two days a week. Harley is in fact already an integral part of the Cathedral’s musical life, singing as a Bass Lay Clerk in the Cathedral Choir. He now adds to this a key role in preparing orders of service, coordinating complex choir schedules and devising Sunday rotas.
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
Harley is a music graduate of Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he was a choral scholar. He also works in the Library of Downing College, Cambridge. 2
Canon Jan Payne is moving on to new ministerial pastures! Jan came to the Cathedral initially to found and direct ECOS in September 2006, and was licensed to the Cathedral as a Licensed Lay Minister in November 2007. In that time she has been a most valued member of the ministry team here and we are hugely grateful for all that she has contributed to our life in so many ways. With her particular skills, and with developments in new housing areas west of Cambridge, Jan is answering a call to work in the 5Folds Group, particularly based at Northstowe, where there will be pioneer work going on as the town is built and new congregations are developed. Jan will be licensed to her new ministry sometime in January and will be with us for her last Sunday on 30 December. We wish her every blessing in her new ministry.
New Explorer’s Trail An exciting children’s trail has just been launched at the Cathedral. Designed for children up to 11 years old, the trail follows the same route as in the Welcome booklets, given to all visitors. The Explorer’s Trail booklet is full of interesting facts and things to spot and is illustrated with the beautiful hand drawings by Rena Gardiner, a wonderful mix of the old and the new. Families can pick up the Explorer Trail leaflet from any welcome desk, free of charge. Happy exploring!
The Feast of Candlemas The Feast of Candlemas will be celebrated on Sunday 3 February - 40 days after Christmas. The main Eucharist of the day is going to be at 6.30pm so that we can make as much use of light, candles, incense and music as we can. We look forward to welcoming Bishop Tim Stevens (formerly Bishop of Leicester) to preach. The last three years this occasion has been what might be described as a liturgical concert - this time it is very definitely an act of worship - no charge, no tickets! But there will be drama, movement and excitement within it. For the first time for many years there will be a service of Mattins at 10.30am since the Eucharist is in the evening. Do join us for a very special day that marks the end of this celebration of the Incarnation.
Retention of Helaine Blumenfeld Almonry Garden sculpture The wonderful exhibition of sculptures by artist, Helaine Blumenfeld, officially came to close at the end of October. Helaine cited the Tree of Life exhibition as her “most important to date”, which consisted of 17 bronze, wood and marble sculptures which were creatively positioned in and around the Cathedral and precinct by Visual Arts Curator, Jacquiline Creswell. Helaine Blumenfeld is no stranger to this area having been visiting Ely Cathedral since the 1970s. We are very fortunate that she has agreed for the three exterior pieces, Illusion, Meridiana and Transformation to remain on site for a few more months so they can be enjoyed by the Cathedral community and visitors to the city.
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CHRISTMAS AT ELY It is hard to imagine that during the month of December Ely Cathedral will hold over 130 services, welcome over 5000 visitors, inspire 9000 worshippers, entertain 4500 concert goers and serve over 8000 customers across their shops and restaurants.
The annual Carol Concert, Hark! The Herald, takes place on 22 December. As always this concert will be a memorable and joyous evening of traditional Christmas carols. The soaring voices of the Cathedral Choir will be accompanied by Ely Sinfonia. Probably the most popular and joyous of Christmas worship are the two Christmas Eve Crib services which take place at Midday and 3pm. These short and informal services include a living nativity and special guest in the form of Midnight or Daisy the donkey. There is plenty of well-known festive music and carols to sing along to and dressing up is positively encouraged. If you have never attended a Crib Service at Ely Cathedral and are ready to be fully immersed into Christmas, then we highly recommend it goes on your ‘must do’ list. The annual Christmas Day lunch will be taking place at midday in the Lady Chapel. This Community lunch is a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and thanks to the generosity of Gareth and Rachel at Crucial Cuisine, the home team of Sallyann and Tabitha and a dedicated team of volunteers, the event promises to celebrate Christmas in style. There will be carols (courtesy of the Dean and his family), delicious food, friendship and community. We hope to reach out to local people who do not have an opportunity to enjoy a Christmas lunch and those who may be on their own at Christmas. We ask the Cathedral community to help spread the word about the Christmas lunch so it reaches those most in need.
For over a thousand years people have flocked to Ely Cathedral at this very special time of Christmastide to worship and to celebrate with friends and families. For the team at Ely, planning starts very early on in the year with meetings to diarise the numerous services, concerts and other activities taking place throughout Advent and the festive season. By the time November comes around the staff, volunteers and clergy are poised and ready to envelop this magnificent building in a cloak of seasonal worship and music, festive spirit and above all, welcome. The centrepiece of the festive season at Ely has to be the magnificent tree which stands over 30 feet high under the Cathedral’s world famous Octagon Tower. The tree is delivered at the end of November and this year it is kindly sponsored by The Friends of Ely Cathedral. Overseeing the decoration is Norfolk based designer, Katie Haydn Slater. Over the years the tree has become a major visitor attraction in its own right and is legendary across the region. The official Christmas lights ‘Switch On’ takes place on Sunday 9 December and is a wonderful event for all the family.
Tickets, for those who can afford to pay, are £10 and available from the Cathedral Box Office. Any surplus from ticket sales will go to support local vulnerable people.
We have two major Christmas concerts this year. A Festival of Carols promises to be a spectacular evening in celebration of Christmas with music by the Ely Cathedral Choir, The Ely Imps and featuring a special guest, the west end stage actress Ruthie Henshall. The music will be interspersed with seasonal readings and poems. This event is supported by The Cambridgeshire Freemasons and this year will be in aid of SSAFA and Ely Cathedral.
For a full schedule of services and concerts at Ely Cathedral over Advent and Christmastide please visit: www.elycathedral.org or pick up a copy of our Christmas at Ely leaflet. 4
RESTORATION WORKS UPDATE
The Processional Way Courtyard paving project has been made possible this year thanks to generous donations from private individuals and from the Friends of Ely Cathedral. The stone used here is a York Stone, which complements the Clipsham of the walling and copings which enclose it. The visual improvement is already evident, and we will continue to reap the benefits of a more functional and user-friendly area; useful for a wide range of events. The archaeological work carried out in advance of the construction revealed that the burial site excavated beneath the footprint of the new Processional Way in 2000, did indeed extend further to the east. Also revealed at the eastern end of the site were the footings of a demolished medieval building believed to be the 15th century Feretrar’s Checker [] (the Feretrar was the keeper of the shrine).
In terms of forthcoming works, we are now preparing for the restoration of the north façade of our North range, which faces onto the High Street, starting with the central section running from Sacrist’s Gate to the Precentor’s House. Due to the difficulty of gaining safe access on the High Street side, there are several areas and maintenance issues we need to address from scaffolding. This includes roof and chimney stack inspections and works, rainwater goods, window overhaul, cleaning, repointing and stone repairs to the façade in general. These works are expected to run into the early part of 2019 and are the result of much planning and negotiation with the local council. In addition to this, in early 2019 we plan to begin works on Cross Green, comprising the laying of a hardstanding and new gate at the entrance from Minster Place. This will necessitate an archaeological excavation in advance as preparations will include the laying of a sub-base. We look forward to the enhancement of this area as well as providing a much needed surface for vehicles entering for events and for contractors.
The environmental monitoring system software controlling the underfloor heating in the Lady Chapel has also been upgraded this year. Linked to this system are also our further sensors dotted around the Cathedral. This will allow us easier access to the information gathered, and will enable more efficient data gathering so that we can better monitor the temperatures and relative humidity within the building as a whole. This is vital to our role as guardians and conservators of the historic fabric of the Cathedral. Within the Lady Chapel itself, the heating is carefully controlled to ensure the preservation of the fragmentary remains of the surviving medieval paint on the clunch carvings. When the relative humidity rises to unacceptable levels, the heating is triggered to combat this and stabilise it. At the time of writing this report the South Nave reroofing project draws to a close and we are now planning the striking of the scaffolding both internally (within the Stained Glass Museum) and externally. The roofing overhaul is now complete, along with the downpipes [], glazing and masonry works [] and so we enter the final stage of dismantling and clearing site. This in itself is a military operation, as the external scaffold is a huge structure and the internal scaffold is within a very sensitive area. When removed, however, all will be revealed in terms of the restored and conserved façade externally and windows and roof timbers internally.
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MUSIC AND WORSHIP Darkness to Light:
and the Christmas Community lunch on Christmas Day in the Lady Chapel. And there’s much for children and families, from the ‘Christmas Lights Switch-on Service’ on 9 December all the way through to the crib services with donkeys on Christmas Eve.
Advent, Christmas and Epiphany at Ely Cathedral
And as we come into Epiphany, the season of illumination and miracle, the Epiphanytide procession (13 January, 4pm) will ponder those miracles through pageantry, music and prayer. Finally, feast your senses and experience the awe and wonder of Candlemas, the feast of recognition, marking the day upon which the infant Jesus was recognised in the Temple as the anointed one for the whole world. The profound mystery of this moment, acknowledged every day in Evensong in the words of the Nunc Dimittis, is expressed through a music-saturated liturgy with the sacrament at its centre, in a building glimmering with candlelight.
Although we are heading into the darkest time of the year, our Cathedral Darkness to Light programme for the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany season looks towards and celebrates the light that is coming. Its unifying image is the candle that lights up the darkness: the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it, as it is written in the famous first chapter of John’s Gospel. That frail, yet indomitable light is Jesus Christ, for whom we wait and pray and hope throughout Advent, whose coming as a helpless newborn we celebrate at Christmas, and through whom the light of God illuminates humanity in Epiphany. Worship, Prayer and Christian Formation at Ely Cathedral
Girls’ Choir The UK’s choir school system is internationally known and respected and choir schools can be found at most of the country’s cathedrals, as well as at various other churches and colleges. The tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, although historically, choir schools educated only boys, yet in the twentieth century most of them became co-educational.
Our worship centres around darkness and light, and around light in the darkness. In the Advent Complines (4, 11 & 18 December at 9pm) we will sing and pray by candlelight on the darkest evenings before the light begins to return to the world after the shortest day. The Advent Procession (2 December, 6pm) shines candles in a darkened church, as do a number of the Christmas services; and the beauty and wonder of Candlemas (3 February, 6.30pm) is expressed through the thousands of candles that illuminate the majestic spaces of the Cathedral. God lights in human beings the frail and flickering light of life, and through it makes our darkness bright (Ps. 18.28). In Advent we think not only about the baby who came, but about the Messiah who will come again - about the ultimate realities of human life. Advent preaching this year will centre on the ‘Four Last Things’, as they are known - Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. The Advent poetry discussion group, meeting on Thursday evenings (29 November, 6, 13, & 20 December) will also focus on poetic realisations of the Four Last Things - by Christina Rossetti, T.S. Eliot, William Blake and John Donne. These are part of our preparations for the joy of Christ’s presence, in which we rejoice in music, word and sacrament over Christmas itself.
In 1991 Salisbury Cathedral School was the first to admit girls to the cathedral choir, although some trail-blazing Directors of Music had been experimenting well before then. In 2018, all but four Anglican cathedrals have formed a separate girls’ choir or admitted girls to their pre-existing boys’ choirs. Their girls and boys are the same age (7-12) and sing the same number of services for the same financial reward.
Our commitment to the light of Christ shows itself in deeds as well as words. Please support the Advent Sleepout on 15 December which will bring aid to those without shelter, 6
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MUSIC AND WORSHIP Boys’ Choir
When Ely Cathedral Girls’ Choir was founded in 2006, a new model was developed, and included girls from the same school as the boys (King’s Ely), but within an older age range from 13 to18. The intention was to provide secondary school-age girls with a comparable experience, however this proved challenging since academic commitments had to be considered. Currently the Girls’ Choir at Ely sings two or three services per week to the Boys’ five or six. It has recently become apparent that change is required.
Alongside high-profile Christmas concerts and services in the Cathedral, just as important for the boy choristers is their carol-singing visit to local care homes in early December. Staff and residents alike appreciate this opportunity to share in the Cathedral’s celebration of the Nativity. On Wednesday 30 January at 3.30pm BBC Radio 3 return to the Cathedral for a live relay of Evensong. After countless appearances, this marks Paul Trepte’s last broadcast from Ely on the country’s longest-running radio programme, now with a worldwide audience thanks to online streaming. The service is open to the public, and those wishing to attend should be seated by 3.15pm.
Twelve years ago, GCSEs and A-levels comprised a combination of modular assessment, course-work submissions, and end-of-year examinations. The new exam system, with the result that both GCSEs and A-levels are now entirely based on final written examinations taken after two full years of study, risks adversely affecting the girls’ performance. It would seem that combining a cathedral choristership with this academic pressure has become untenable. In addition to this issue, I have vocal concerns to do with running a choir of girls from age 13 to 18. Until this year, I auditioned girls at age 12 and they began in the choir at 13. Usually, a substantial growth spurt occurred in the months between voice-trial and arrival. Over my years at Ely, I have noticed that height change occurs first, and voicechange occurs about two years later, and this is backed up by published research. Of course, physiology and training play an important role, but I am convinced that the change from girl-treble to soprano/ mezzo, or (very occasionally) contralto, occurs during about age 14/15. The combination of unchanged and changed voices is surmountable in a large choir that rehearses once a week after school. In a group of just 18 girls who sing every morning at 08.00, an hour totally unnatural for teenagers, it results in potential vocal damage both in older girls (who under-sing, in order to blend) and younger (who over-sing, in order to be heard).
New Lay Clerk Appointeed We are delighted to welcome Alison Daniels, Alto, who joins our team of Lay Clerks at Ely Cathedral from January. Alison, who will be our first female lay clerk, has been a professional singer throughout her career having performed alongside the Manchester Camerata, Goldberg Ensemble, Hallé Orchestra and English Chamber Orchestra to name a few. Church music has always been a central part of her life and she has worked with BBC Religious broadcasting regularly singing on BBC Radio 4.
Fortunately, a substantial intake to King’s Ely from local preparatory schools occurs at Year 7 and, from September 2018, we have admitted girl choristers from the age of 11. They will finish in the choir at age 16, after a break. Hopefully this will result in a thriving - slightly younger - Cathedral Girls’ Choir, with vocally healthy former choristers achieving magnificent school examination results.
Alison is currently a freelance singer and teacher, tutoring pupils of all ages whether singing for pleasure, preparing ABRSM and Trinity examinations, National Youth Choir, Choral Award and chorister trial auditions.
Sarah MacDonald, Director, Ely Cathedral Girls’ Choir
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EVENTS / CONCERTS
RETROSPECTIVE ANIMAL SERVICE SEPTEMBER 2018
A FESTIVAL OF CAROLS Friday 7 December | 7.15pm A spectacular evening in celebration of Christmas with music by the Ely Cathedral Choir, The Ely Imps and featuring special guest, Ruthie Henshall, interspersed with seasonal readings and poems. Supported by The Cambridgeshire Freemasons in aid of SSAFA and Ely Cathedral. Tickets: £35, £25, £18, £12.50. Additional reception tickets £20 (to include pre-concert and interval Champagne receptions in the Lady Chapel)
The Animal Service is undoubtedly one of the most joyful occasions in the Cathedral Calendar and again attracted hundreds of worshippers, who with their beloved pets and working animals came to give thanks to God for all creatures great and small. There is something quite remarkable about a Cathedral full of people, dogs, donkeys, tortoises, rabbits and more besides. Despite the obvious diversity of species, there was a true sense of unity in worship as creatures of God. Music was provided by the wonderful Ely Imps who sang an arrangement of All things Bright and Beautiful, directed by Rebecca Duckworth and accompanied by Edmund Aldhouse.
SPARKLING VALENTINE’S CONCERT BY CANDLELIGHT Saturday 16 February | 7.30pm
Canon Garrard led the service with his toy hedgehog ‘Pineapple’, as his cat was unable to attend. We were delighted to welcome Phil Franklin, a local Vet and congregation member who was interviewed about his work. Canon Johnson gave a short talk drawing on the theology of St Francis and Dietrich Bonhoeffer to explore whether animals go to heaven and then, in what has become an annual tradition, outlined the misadventures of her dog Percy, who has become a local celebrity of some stature. Marley the Donkey made a valuable and vocal contribution to the service and we welcomed a team of Therapy Dogs who were part of the procession. The Collection from the service was shared between Wood Green Animal Shelters, the K9 Project, Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Donkey Sanctuary.
Concert Pianist Warren MailleySmith returns to Ely Cathedral for his tenth annual Sparkling Valentine’s Concert by Candlelight, when the Piccadilly Sinfonietta perform Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Featuring the breathtaking violinist Zoe Beyers (Co-leader of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra), Albinoni’s Adagio and the exquisite Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C. This romantic extravaganza also features soprano Susan Parkes in Handel’s Lascia ch’io pianga. Tickets £28 & £22 (including glass of bubbly).
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PREVIEW Embroiderers’ Guild Exhibition ‘The Beautiful Stitch’ | 5 -28 February 2019 In February 2019 we are delighted to host A Beautiful Stitch. This special exhibition by the Embroiderers’ Guild Collection is full of stories behind the techniques and styles of embroidery and will incorporate textiles from previous centuries to the present day. It is understood this exhibition will inform and, in some cases, amaze the visitor and may even alter preconceived ideas on embroidery. This exhibition is the first travelling exhibition for the Embroiderers’ Guild, since its move to new premises at Bucks County Museum in Aylesbury. Five themes were chosen, representing particular strengths of the Collection. Embroidery as Art considers the emergence of textiles as an art form in the 20th century, when new materials and techniques became popular and art schools and colleges began to offer degrees in the study of textiles in many contemporary styles. Embroidery in Education examines the importance of education; from early needlework samplers stitched by young girls in the 17th century; through Berlin wool work samplers in the late 18th century, to samplers of the 20th century. Embroidery as Fashion looks at the embellishment of clothing and accessories with embroidery and encompasses work by professional embroiderers and current experts in the field, using both hand and machine embroidery. Embroidery as Industry shows how embroidery spread from individuals, through cottage industries to the mass production of embroidery in factories. Notable among factory workshops in the past were Morris & Co and the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Embroidery as Status encompasses the use of embroidery as a symbol of status. Used for many years by the wealthy and powerful in society; in religion, Royalty, government and power; embroidery emphasises rank and authority. Sumptuous embroidery in metal thread, silk and jewels reflect the importance of the wearer and the occasion. Entrance included in standard Cathedral admission ticket. £6 (concession rate) for all Embroidery Guild Members. £5 for all pass holders and Sunday Entrance.
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FOCUS ON Nicky Ayscough , Director of Education How long have you worked at Ely Cathedral and where did you work previously? Before moving to the Cathedral in August 2016, I taught outside the classroom at Upware Centre, Stibbington Centre and Burwell House for over 11 years. I am very fortunate in having several past lives, including as a classroom teacher and an environmental scientist. I love learning new things and like to be busy. What does your role as Director of Education involve on a weekly / monthly / yearly basis? The Education Department welcomes over 10,000 children a year to the Cathedral. We run activities and tours for school groups, with the help of enthusiastic volunteer Education Guides. We also organise some of the school Christmas services and school holiday drop in sessions for families with primary aged children. As Director of Education, I work with other Cathedral staff to ensure that the children’s activities can run alongside other events in a busy Cathedral diary (not always easy!) and also look to find ways that we can link with what else is going on, for example exhibitions. What is the most rewarding aspect of your role and the favourite thing you have been involved in? I think that being able to work closely with the rest of the Cathedral staff and volunteers has been very rewarding. Everyone is not only supportive, but also talented in many different ways. It was an incredible experience being involved in the Cathedrals’ first Science Festival last year and we are planning wonderful things for the second one, The Sky’s the Limit in 2019.
What have you got planned for 2019 and what are you looking forward to the most? I am very much looking forward to 2019 as we will then have three members of staff. Sarah Armstrong has been with us since January as our Learning Officer and as well as her youth ministry background, she has experience with children with additional needs. Sally Newton is returning from maternity leave to be Head of Secondary Learning and is keen to increase our outreach to students from state secondary schools. My focus will be on primary schools and how the work of the Education Department can meet the Cathedral’s aims, particularly for outreach. I have high hopes for the year! What do you enjoy most about working in the Cathedral building? Education is very lucky to have office space in the Old Library, close to the Octagon. I appreciate the Cathedral building most early morning or on a winter’s afternoon, when it seems deserted. I try to stop and take a moment out of a busy day. There is always something ‘new’ to see, with awe and wonder. What do you do to relax in your spare time? I am happiest out walking with my husband, Andrew, somewhere in East Anglia or further afield.
Sally Newton
Sarah Armstrong and Nicky Ayscough 10
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DECEMBER
Saturday 1 10am Ely Cathedral Centre Christmas Fair 7.30pm Ely Consort Concert
Tuesday 18 2pm Service of Reconciliation and Commemoration 7.15pm Advent Pilgrimage Tour 9pm Compline (Lady Chapel)
Sunday 2 - 1st Sunday of Advent 6pm Advent Procession with Carols
Saturday 22 7.30pm ‘Hark! the Herald’ Carol Concert
Tuesday 4 9pm Compline (Lady Chapel)
Sunday 23 6pm Cathedral Carol Service I
Friday 7 7.15pm A Festival of Carols
Monday 24 - Christmas Eve 12pm Children’s Crib Service I 3pm Children’s Crib Service II 6pm Cathedral Carol Service II 11.30pm Midnight Mass
Saturday 8 12.30pm Walsingham Cell Mass (Lady Chapel) 3pm Children’s Society Christingle
Sunday 13 - The Baptism of Christ 4pm Epiphanytide Procession 6.30pm Sunday@6:30 Sunday 20 - 3rd Sunday of Epiphany Friday 25 - The Conversion of Paul 12.10pm Holy Communion Sunday 27 - 4th Sunday of Epiphany Wednesday 30 3.30pm BBC Radio 3 Broadcast Evensong
FEBRUARY
Sunday 3 - Candlemas 10.30am Choral Mattins 6.30pm Candlelit Sung Eucharist
Sunday 9 - 2nd Sunday of Advent 5.15pm The Big Christmas Tree Lights Switch-on Service!
Tuesday 25 - Christmas Day 8.15am Holy Communion 10.30am Sung Eucharist Midday Community Lunch 4pm Evensong
Tuesday 11 1pm Pre-School Christmas Celebration 9pm Compline (Lady Chapel)
Wednesday 26 - Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr 12.10pm Holy Communion
Saturday 9 12.30pm Walsingham Cell Mass (Lady Chapel)
Thursday 13 10.30am Christmas Stories and Songs
Thursday 27 - John, Apostle and Evangelist 12.10pm Holy Communion
Sunday 10 - 4th Sunday before Lent 6.30pm Sunday@6:30
Friday 14 5.30pm Evensong featuring Britten’s Ceremony of Carols
Friday 28 - The Holy Innocents 12.10pm Holy Communion
Saturday 16 10am Wedding Preparation Day (Cathedral Centre) 7.30pm Warren Mailley-Smith Sparkling Valentine’s Concert
Saturday 15 2pm Community Christmas Carol Sing along 10pm Advent Sleepout Challenge Sunday 16 - 3rd Sunday of Advent 1.30pm Royal Papworth Hospital Charity’s Annual Christmas Carol Service 6.30pm Advent Taizé
Octagon Magazine
Sunday 30 - 1st Sunday of Christmas 4pm Service of Readings and Carols led by members of the local community
JANUARY
Tuesday 5 - Thursday 28 Embroiderers’ Guild Exhibition The Beautiful Stitch
Sunday 17 - 3rd Sunday before Lent
Tuesday 1 - The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus 12.10pm Holy Communion
Tuesday 19 10am Cathedral Organ taster session in partnership with the County Music Service
Sunday 6 - The Epiphany
Sunday 24 - 2nd Sunday before Lent
Saturday 12 12.30pm Walsingham Cell Mass (Lady Chapel)
Copies are available in the Cathedral, 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: news@elycathedral.org Images © Ash Mills, Timothy Selvage, Keith Heppell, ECPL. Issue 7 - Spring edition available March.
Ely Cathedral, The Chapter House, The College, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4DL 01353 667735 | www.elycathedral.org Follow us on Download the free Cathedral App