A Lunar Perspective on Life by Dr Stuart Blackie

The Severn Bore, so-called, is a phenomenon of the tides, sufficient to be ridden, as here by a surfer at Minsterworth © Lesmalvern

What Did the Moon ever Do for Us?

Dr Stuart Blackie

We owe a lot to the Moon. Oliver Morton in his book The Moon: A History for the Future has proposed that if the Moon did not circle our planet, the axis about which the Earth rotates each day would have been unstable. The extreme scenarios would be either to straighten or to dramatically tilt. The first scenario might mean that we end up like Mercury, a planet with no moon, whose axis of rotation tilts a tiny 2 degrees. Were this to have been the case, we would never have experienced our seasons. The second extreme is that we might roll over like Uranus and rotate on our side with one pole pointing at the sun and half our world stuck in a prolonged, if not perpetual, night-and-ice age.

Of course, this is hypothetical. But there is no doubt that the Moon and, to a lesser extent, the Sun are responsible for the ocean tides and these tides are thought to have been of enormous significance in the development of life on earth. The range of tides shows enormous differences over the earth as a whole, but in the Devonian era, because the moon was closer, the tides were greater. However, even now on the Atlantic coast of North America there are important variations. There is a rise of only a foot or two at the Florida Keys, but at Cape Cod Bay the spring tide range is 11 – 12 feet and at other places it is higher. In this country, the Severn is noted for its impressive tidal race.

As day after day the great tides ebb and flow, the rocky shores are visibly marked by stripes of colour parallel to the sea’s edge. These bands or zones are composed of living things. They reflect the states of the tide, and the length of time that a particular level of the shore is uncovered. It is this which determines, in large measure, what can live there. At the lowest of the spring tides there is a zone exposed only during the last

8 hour of their fall – that sub-tide world where all the rock is painted a deep rose hue by the lime-secreting seaweeds that encrust it and where the gleaming brown ribbons of large kelps lie exposed on the rocks.

Above this, towards the low tide mark the Irish moss spreads its low cushioning growth. Above this are seaweeds. But the most conspicuous zone extends to the upper line of the high tides. On an open shore with moderate heavy surf, the rocks are whitened by the crowded millions of barnacles. Above this, snails evolving towards land existence browse on vegetation or hide in seams and crevices in rocks. The hardiest species live in the upper zone. Some of the world’s most ancient plants, the blue-green algae thought to have originated aeons ago in the sea, have emerged from it to form dark tracings on the rocks above the high tide line, a black zone visible on rocky shores in all parts of the world. Above the high-water mark of neap tides is a band, the splash zone, that is more earth than sea. It is inhabited chiefly by pioneering species which have gone far along the road towards land life, because they can endure separation from the sea for many hours or days.

With only minor variations, this pattern of life exists in all parts of the world. The differences from place to place are related usually to the force of the surf. This scenario, which continues to be played out today, is the basis of a credible theory to explain how life, which is thought to have arisen first in the oceans, could have begun to colonise dry land. Last June we commemorated 50 years since we first set foot on the Moon. We are already eyeing up its commercial potential but, before we recklessly exploit our neighbour, perhaps we should think about treating it with respect.

A Strategic Review

The Diocese of Westminster is undertaking a strategic review of the role of sacred music in the mission of Westminster Cathedral. Its musical tradition, in its excellence, constitutes a crucial and powerful part of the mission of the Cathedral. The Choir is recognised as one of the finest in the world. Since its foundation in 1901 it has occupied a unique and enviable position at the forefront of English church music, famous both for its distinctive continental sound and its repertoire.

A panel has been appointed to undertake this review over the next eight to 10 weeks, which will be completed by early April 2020. Its members bring experience, knowledge and deep interest in the role of Westminster Cathedral and its great musical tradition. Commenting on this announcement, Cardinal Nichols said: ‘In welcoming this strategic review, I thank most sincerely those who are going to conduct it. They do so with my full confidence. Our musical heritage is precious and this review is an opportunity to strengthen this heritage and look forward to the next 10 years with confidence.’ In addition to consulting with a number of post holders and external experts, the panel has welcomed submissions from interested parties.

The Cathedral’s mission

Westminster Cathedral stands at the centre of London as a sign of the presence of the Body of Christ and the Church. In the words of the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer for the Dedication of a Church: ‘This visible house is where you never cease to show favour to your family on pilgrimage to you in this place and where you wonderfully manifest and accomplish the mystery of your communion with us.’ The Cathedral gathers a community, united in worship around the bishop, forming that community in prayer through the celebration of the sacraments, the preaching of God’s Word and the beauty of worship, and through ministry to all who come there, reaching out to those in need, especially the homeless. This mission of the Cathedral is carried out not only in its neighbourhood and parish, but also in the diocese and the entire city of London, also achieving a national profile and impact. The Cathedral is, then, a living sign of the Body of Christ – building charity, proclaiming mercy, striving for unity and peace through Word and Sacrament. In its mission, the Cathedral must constantly enhance and strengthen itself as it responds to the changing society it seeks to serve.

Music at the Cathedral

The musical tradition constitutes a crucial and powerful part of the mission of the Cathedral. The appeal of sacred music has widened as it has become increasingly recognised as an expression of a profound spiritual dimension in human experience. The capacity of Cathedral music to touch the human soul is of immense importance. Comprising up to 20 boy trebles and altos aged eight to 13 and 10 professional lay clerks (adult singers), the Choir remains the only Catholic Cathedral choir in the world to sing Mass each day and Vespers on most days. The Choir also performs in concerts at home and abroad, and continues to make recordings, as it has done regularly throughout its existence.

Westminster Cathedral Choir School Westminster Cathedral Choir School is a Catholic preparatory school for about 250 boys aged four to 13, 70% of whom are Catholics. Some 20 of them are boarding choristers joining at the age of eight. Choristers sing to a world-class standard and musical standards across the board are outstanding. The school is academically selective and boys enjoy a demanding curriculum. The Independent Schools Inspectorate gave the highest possible judgments of the school in its most recent inspection (November 2018).

Aims of the strategic review The aims are to consider: 1. The steps needed, within the mission of the Cathedral, to strengthen the role played by sacred music, including talent, resources and capital. 2.The structures and clarity of roles (governance, management, human resources, reporting, safeguarding) that are required for the continued development of the contribution of music to the Cathedral’s mission, within the network of the relationships between the Cathedral, its Music Department and Westminster Cathedral Choir School. This review will examine these issues with a 10-year perspective.

Members of the Panel Robert Arnott, Director of Strategy, Social Mobility and Disadvantage at the Department for Education and Chair of Trustees of the Cardinal Hume Centre. Leslie Ferrar, Non-Executive Director of Secure Income REIT PLC and former Trustee of the Diocese of Westminster. Mgr Mark Langham, Roman Catholic Chaplain of Cambridge University and former Administrator of Westminster Cathedral. Andrew Reid, formerly Director of the Royal School of Church Music and former Assistant Master of Music of Westminster Cathedral.

Consultation The Panel will formally consult with the following current post holders: The Administrator of Westminster Cathedral The Chair of Governors and Head Master of Westminster Cathedral Choir School The Assistant Master of Music of Westminster Cathedral The Chief Operating Officer of the diocese of Westminster The Diocesan Director of HR