Westminster Abbey on BBC2

[MrGongGong]

Do you actually read peoples' posts before you "reply" to them? Or do you have some inbuilt processing thingy that prevents you from logical thought?

I only ask because never in a million years is your post relevant to the point that you quoted from mine...

I'm not going to answer this because you NEVER discuss anything anyway .........

[Magnificat]

...in the sense of PR for the Abbey?

ardcarp,

There is this element obviously; but he seems a sincere enough chap to me and this was re-inforced for me by the talk he gave to the choristers before their trip to Rome which was very nicely judged.

VCC

[mangerton]

Should we, for instancce, really have to pay to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

As others have said, the money has to come from somewhere. But teamsaint's question sums it up for me in one sentence.

[Gabriel Jackson]

people who are against this kind of charge are aware that money has to come from somewhere.
it could come from government.for people to be able to visit this Centre of National Life , for free, would costs absolute peanuts in national government spend terms. I think it is a deception to say that the Abbey is such a focus of national life, (but if you want a quick butch that will be £16 )
I know for a fact that lots of people are put off visiting our great cathedrals by high admission charges, and that is just wrong IMO.

It could come from government but it doesn't.

[Gabriel Jackson]

ardcarp,

There is this element obviously; but he seems a sincere enough chap to me and this was re-inforced for me by the talk he gave to the choristers before their trip to Rome which was very nicely judged.

VCC

And John Hall is very, very supportive of the music at Westminster Abbey which I would think would be welcomed here.

[BBMmk2]

I thought the choir sang rather well in the programme?







































........................................

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

What a fascinating thread. Many very strongly held views are being expressed under the auspices of an "independent forum for Radio 3 listeners" and the sub-forum "The Choir". I wonder which programmes on Radio 3 are the regular fare of Calum, Simon and Mr GongGong?

all the Jazz Progs; CotW, CD Review, Breakfast Essential Classics, Lunchtime Concert, Late Junction and Live Relays in the evenings on iPlayer later on .... but not Evensong nor The Choir although i probably have been to choral performances more than any other type of live music in recent years and often in Churches ... R3 is the default setting for all my listening chitreb ... and yours?

[teamsaint]

It could come from government but it doesn't.

well as long as the Abbey and other keep charging, it won't.
How about a principled stand?

[jean]

It didn't before they started.

Curious that the secular French state can support France's religious buildings, and we can't, though the buildings belong to the established Church.

[Gabriel Jackson]

well as long as the Abbey and other keep charging, it won't.
How about a principled stand?

If it did come from the government, every taxpayer in Britain would be paying for it. Rather than, at the moment, only those who actually visit.

[Sir Velo]

Curious that the secular French state can support France's religious buildings, and we can't, though the buildings belong to the established Church.

Maybe the higher tax rates in France have something to do with it? You pays your money; you takes your choice I'm afraid.

[MrGongGong]

The church is supported through the HLF (though not really from Tax )

[teamsaint]

If it did come from the government, every taxpayer in Britain would be paying for it. Rather than, at the moment, only those who actually visit.

but not those who would be happy to pay a little (tiny) bit of tax every year, rather than a very high admission charge when they do decide to go.
We do it for the big museums, why not for cathedrals and abbeys?

Not really sure I like the "only use it if you pay for it" idea re public services and facilities....NHS? fire service? education?

Jean ....I don't doubt that you are right..but EH funding has been withdrawn, and times change.(see museums above !!)

[Gabriel Jackson]

but not those who would be happy to pay a little (tiny) bit of tax every year, rather than a very high admission charge when they do decide to go.
We do it for the big museums, why not for cathedrals and abbeys?

Only up to a point - temporary exhibitions at the Tate(s), the Royal Academy, the National Gallery etc. etc. are not free.

Not really sure I like the "only use it if you pay for it" idea re public services and facilities....NHS? fire service? education?

Nor do I but Westminster Abbey is not a public service in the same way the NHS is!

[teamsaint]

Only up to a point - temporary exhibitions at the Tate(s), the Royal Academy, the National Gallery etc. etc. are not free.


Nor do I but Westminster Abbey is not a public service in the same way the NHS is!

Its "at the centre of National Life", apparently. Why on earth shouldn't it be funded in an appropriate manner, such as taxation.

re your other point,many buildings have special charges for particular parts...the abbey could do this,(perhaps it does).No problem with this.