Westminster Abbey on BBC2

[Nick Armstrong]

Moving back to the subject on the card, the BBC2 programme, I caught up with the second episode today and found it more interesting - the trip to Rome and the footage of St Peter's and the Sistine Chapel provided an extra (and gorgeous) dimension as a counterpoint to the sections set in WA. Well worth a watch, I'd say.

[teamsaint]

Moving back to the subject on the card, the BBC2 programme, I caught up with the second episode today and found it more interesting - the trip to Rome and the footage of St Peter's and the Sistine Chapel provided an extra (and gorgeous) dimension as a counterpoint to the sections set in WA. Well worth a watch, I'd say.

I'll try to watch it. Can always rely on you to get us back on topic Calibs !!

[Nick Armstrong]

Can always rely on you to get us back on topic Calibs !!

I have my disciplined moments !

[Sir Velo]

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Jean ....I don't doubt that you are right..but EH funding has been withdrawn, and times change.(see museums above !!)

Part of the issue is that museums, NHS are available to all; the CofE is, whether we like it or not, a minority religion in this country. If you are happy for its buildings to receive state funding you need to accept that mosques; synagogues; temples etc also have an equal right to state subsidy. This could get expensive very quickly! In a secular society it is just not the flavour of the month to be propping up crumbling religious edifices out of the public purse. BTW, I love the ecclesiastical architecture of this country, but appreciate that others take a different stance.

[BBMmk2]

We getting away from the actual thread here. this is something totally different, more to do with the day yo day politics of WA and other places of worship.

I know it was mentioned in the programme, but these things usually are but not as a general discussion?

[MrGongGong]

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

It's obviously (?) NOT "at the centre of National Life" at all
it's a rather beautiful building in which some great music happens and lots of people visit
but the idea that somehow the established church (like the dreary Windsors) somehow "hold the country together" is a long faded fantasy.....

[teamsaint]

It's obviously (?) NOT "at the centre of National Life" at all
it's a rather beautiful building in which some great music happens and lots of people visit
but the idea that somehow the established church (like the dreary Windsors) somehow "hold the country together" is a long faded fantasy.....

Quite.But that building is still an important part of our heritage (for better or worse).

As for Sir Velo's point about the C of E being a minority religion...well true enough, but (and I am not supporting the C of E here) an awful lot of people do still attend regularly, a lot more than would, say, visit the National Gallery in a year.
As to what is expensive and affordable.....well you can keep up a lot crumbling edifices for the cost of Trident. its about priority, not any ability to pay.
perhaps, as BBM suggests, this should all go to another thread, though.

[AuntyKezia]

Back to the Abbey ... I attended Evensong there a couple of months ago and being seated very close to the choir noticed that the Precentor (is that the right term?) had recourse to his tuning fork before venturing on each versicle. This surprised me as the V & R that day were by Tomkins so I'd have thought not particularly difficult to pitch - maybe I'm wrong?

[Gabriel Jackson]

Back to the Abbey ... I attended Evensong there a couple of months ago and being seated very close to the choir noticed that the Precentor (is that the right term?) had recourse to his tuning fork before venturing on each versicle. This surprised me as the V & R that day were by Tomkins so I'd have thought not particularly difficult to pitch - maybe I'm wrong?

Difficult for whom? If he felt more secure using a tuning fork, what's the problem?!

[BBMmk2]

Difficult for whom? If he felt more secure using a tuning fork, what's the problem?!

Nothing!!

[Resurrection Man]

Just finished watching Episode 1. I thought it was a privilege to be given an insight into the daily running of such a wonderful institution. A history stretching back hundreds of years. Quaint titles such as Royal Peculiar and Surveyor of the Fabric. I came away with an overwhelming sense of belonging and tradition of all that work there. Looking forward to the rest of the series very much.

Great shame, then, that the usual pedants have to drag their dreary viewpoint into the thread.

[Vile Consort]

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

Because you would be the first to complain if it were?

[teamsaint]

Because you would be the first to complain if it were?

How on earth do you work that out from my posts ?!

We should pay for it out of general taxation. Does that clear it up?


RM, they are opinions. You have them, so do I , so do others. Lets be a little allowing, shall we? if we can't vigorously discuss an institution that proclaims itself to be at the centre of national life, (and which does so on national telly) we are in trouble, aren't we?

Incidentally, you may feel a sense of belonging, and that is good, but other people don't feel that when they have to tell their families they can't afford to visit. So understanding that is important, isn't it?

[Resurrection Man]

......

Incidentally, you may feel a sense of belonging, and that is good, but other people don't feel that when they have to tell their families they can't afford to visit. So understanding that is important, isn't it?

True but equally in the same breath if perhaps they pop down the local shop and buy another 40 fags....question of priorities.

[DracoM]

< Great shame, then, that the usual pedants have to drag their dreary viewpoint into the thread. >

This Forum is about opinions, debates, and exchanges of information - its raison d'etre - dreary, pedantic, exasperating, sympathetic or otherwise though those opinions may be to any particular member.