Resumption of sung services in cathedrals

[Pulcinella]

Good Lord, of course I'm not. I thought that this thread was about the joyous resumption of services with choirs singing the daily office in their stalls with clergy and congregation ... forgive me if I got that wrong.
RJ

I did too; that's why I launched it!!


We are indeed grateful for other news (such as of webcasts) that has been provided, but that post (especially the 'Ahem') did seem a little incongruous on this particular thread.

[Resurgam]

Well if anywhere was going to get it 'right' it was going to be Hereford. .

Does this mean that you think other cathedrals will get it wrong?

If Hereford are sounding so good so quickly after the six month break they most certainly have got it right especially as Roger Judd in a previous post on another thread thought it would take at least six months before choirs were up and running.

It may not be so easy for other cathedral choirs, especially those without choir schools. For example, will children operating in bubbles at state or independent schools be allowed to mix in different bubbles in cathedral or church choirs?

I don't really understand the idea. Children will mix with whoever they want to mix with outside school.

[DracoM]

Well, Roger Judd is a serious authority whom I mightily respect, so I was just a teeny bit taken aback, but all done and dusted now.
Glad we're all on the same page.

We are ALL united and thrilled that choirs are getting back together.

[Finzi4ever]

Good Lord, of course I'm not. I thought that this thread was about the joyous resumption of services with choirs singing the daily office in their stalls with clergy and congregation ... forgive me if I got that wrong.
RJ

[Constantbee]

It was a very special moment for us all.
RJ

At York, too, although saddened by the untimely death on Monday of Gerald the cathedral cat.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-54162351

My little picture book of Cathedral Cats (by Richard Surman, pub. Collins 2011) tells me that Hereford has - or had - its own hospitality cats called Saffron and Mevagissy. Pure white coats. Their parents were a pair called Cable and Wireless, which rather dates them to the 1981 stock exchange flotation.

Gerald's death remains unexplained, although there is an inherited tendency to cardiac disease in the Bengal breed. Unless one suspects fowl play by the greylag goose who laid 4 eggs in a flowerbed at York station during lockdown

[Pulcinella]

At York, too, although saddened by the untimely death on Monday of Gerald the cathedral cat.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-54162351

My little picture book of Cathedral Cats (by Richard Surman, pub. Collins 2011) tells me that Hereford has - or had - its own hospitality cats called Saffron and Mevagissy. Pure white coats. Their parents were a pair called Cable and Wireless, which rather dates them to the 1981 stock exchange flotation.

Gerald's death remains unexplained, although there is an inherited tendency to cardiac disease in the Bengal breed. Unless one suspects fowl play by the greylag goose who laid 4 eggs in a flowerbed at York station during lockdown

York does of course have its cat trail (a good outdoor activity in these socially distanced times):

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0032/6749/3986/files/Cat-Trail.pdf?3260338951760997234

They're not of the feral variety though, so they can't have had anything to do with the demise of Gerald.

[cloughie]

At York, too, although saddened by the untimely death on Monday of Gerald the cathedral cat.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-54162351

My little picture book of Cathedral Cats (by Richard Surman, pub. Collins 2011) tells me that Hereford has - or had - its own hospitality cats called Saffron and Mevagissy. Pure white coats. Their parents were a pair called Cable and Wireless, which rather dates them to the 1981 stock exchange flotation.

Gerald's death remains unexplained, although there is an inherited tendency to cardiac disease in the Bengal breed. Unless one suspects fowl play by the greylag goose who laid 4 eggs in a flowerbed at York station during lockdown

I think that the cats’ names are more of a Cornish origin from the Cable & Wireless base at Porthcurno - link then their offspring Mevagissey, and Saffron, the much loved Cornish Saffron bun and its larger version the Tea Treat bun! Was there by any chance someone who moved from Truro to Hereford. All pure speculation but possible!

[Andrew Butler]

Has there been anything forthcoming about what may be happening regarding seasonal broadcasts in December from John's and Kings?

[cat]

Has there been anything forthcoming about what may be happening regarding seasonal broadcasts in December from John's and Kings?

It's obviously early days as the students haven't even arrived yet, but King's are planning both to film Carols From King's and also working towards having the 9LC live broadcast. I expect the choir will be spaced out more along the stalls.

[DracoM]

Has there been anything forthcoming about what may be happening regarding seasonal broadcasts in December from John's and Kings?

Have been in touch with KCC - am awaiting an official statement.

[Andrew Butler]

I've just heard that the Kings recording and broadcast will be going ahead but without a congregation. Very sad. Shan't be watching or listening for the first time since I can remember. When WILL this all end?

[Nick Armstrong]

I've just heard that the Kings recording and broadcast will be going ahead but without a congregation.

Yes things adjusting to the new normal....

[Nick Armstrong]

Shan't be watching or listening for the first time since I can remember.

Incidentally, why won’t you watch or listen?

[Andrew Butler]

Incidentally, why won’t you watch or listen?

The congregation are part of the atmosphere. The organ bursting in for v.3 of Once in royal.... It won't be the same.

[jonfan]

The congregation are part of the atmosphere. The organ bursting in for v.3 of Once in royal.... It won't be the same.

That’s quite sad Andrew, you are going to have a silent Christmas. Try and picture the congregation at home joining in with verse 3.