What s On St Albans Cathedral

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1 Opening Times The Cathedral is open all year round Entry is FREE All donations are gratefully received. Our Box Office is located in the Cathedral Shop or you can call or book online at How to Get Here The Cathedral is situated in the centre of the historic and beautiful city of St Albans. It is easily reached by car and public transport with good links from the M1 and M25, and is just 20 minutes by train from Central London. For full travel information, please go to: What s On St Albans Cathedral March 2016 June 2016 Alban Pilgrimage Programme Includes For the latest information visit our website and sign up to our What s On Newsletter St Albans Cathedral Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 1BY Telephone: mail@stalbanscathedral.org Music Tours Family Fun Easter Number One St Albans Visitor

2 A Warm Welcome Awaits You at St Albans Cathedral St Albans Cathedral stands over the place where Alban, Britain s first saint, was buried after giving his life for his faith over 1700 years ago. There are many unique sights to take in when you visit the Cathedral, plus an exciting programme of events, tours and concerts which you can find out about in this guide. We look forward to seeing you soon. Contents Page 4-5 Top Ten Highlights 6-9 Music 10 Special Services Holy Week & Easter The Alban Pilgrimage Family Fun 18 Tours 19 Exhibitions Talks & Education 22 Visitor Information 23 Our Regular Services Occasionally additional services and events will be added at short notice please check the website for updates or call Information is correct at time of going to print.

3 Top Ten Highlights 1 The Shrine of Saint Alban The Shrine of Saint Alban is a site of national Pilgrimage and people have been coming here for over 1700 years. It is used as a place of prayer and stillness by visitors every day. 2 The Longest Nave in England At 85 metres, St Albans Cathedral has the longest nave in England. 3 The Alban Pilgrimage 2016 On Saturday 18th June join in a city wide celebration of St Alban. This unique event sees giant carnival puppets retell Saint Alban s dramatic and moving story. See pages for more details. 4 The Watching Loft From the Watching Loft, monks and townsmen kept guard over Alban s Shrine. 5 Stunning Medieval Wall Paintings The Cathedral has one of the oldest and most extensive series of medieval wall paintings surviving today, ranging from the late 12th century to the 16th century. 6 The Bell Tower St Albans is the only major church in England with a great crossing tower of the 11th century still standing. 7 Choral Evensong Time your visit to enjoy the beautiful singing of the Cathedral Choirs at Evensong. Weekdays 5pm Saturday 4pm. Sunday 6.30pm. Outside of term time, there may be a visiting choir or short said service. 8 The Lady Chapel This 14th century extension to the church is dedicated to Mary the Mother of Jesus. 9 The Rose Window The magnificently coloured stained glass by Alan Younger was added to Grimthorpe s north transept rose window, and unveiled in 1989 by Diana, Princess of Wales. 10 New Nave Statues Seven statues of martyrs, sculpted by Rory Young, installed in the niches of the medieval nave screen in (C) Tim Bull (C) Charles Baker FREE Guided Tours of the Cathedral are available daily at the following times: Monday to Saturday Saturday Sunday to Friday If your time is limited, our Highlights Tour takes place at every day of the week (C) Donato Cinicolo 4 Follow us on 5

4 Music This Spring promises a rich programme of musical events. J S Bach: St John Passion Date: Saturday 5th March Time: 7.30pm Harrow Choral Society with Charivari Agreable (period instruments) Conductor: Simon Williams; Hilary Musgrave (soprano); Nicholas Hariades (counter tenor); Tom Raskin (tenor); Trevor Bowes (baritone) Tickets: 25, 20, 15, 10 Concessions: Children (under 16) - half price, Wheelchair spaces - 25 and 20, with a carer going free. Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 9th March Time: 12:30pm Rachel Mahon, Organ Scholar, St Paul s Cathedral Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. St Albans Bach Choir Date: Saturday 12th March Time: 7.30pm The Sixteen (C) Molinavisuals Fauré Requiem Mozart Mass in C Minor with Sinfonia Verdi Conductor: Andrew Lucas; Rowan Pierce (soprano); Martha McLorinan (mezzo soprano); Jeremy Budd (tenor); Jonathan Best (bass) Tickets: 30, 25, 18, 12 Concessions: Children (under 16) 12, Students (full time) 12 (not available for top price tickets) Wheelchair spaces 25 and 12 (Classic and No View only), with a carer going free. Sunday Afternoon Organ Concert Date: Sunday 20th March Time: 3pm James McVinnie, Concert Organist Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. The Sixteen Pilgrimage 2016: The Deer s Cry Date: Saturday 9th April Time: 7.30pm, with pre-concert talk at 7pm Music by Byrd, Arvo Pärt and Tallis Conductor: Harry Christophers Tickets: 30, 25, % discount on groups of 10 or more. Concessions: Children (under 16) and students half price, Wheelchair spaces half price, with a carer going free. Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 20th April Time: 12.30pm Jonathan Vaughn, Assistant Organist, Wells Cathedral Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. St Albans Choral Society Date: Saturday 30th April Time: 7.30pm Haydn Te Deum in C, Hob Xlllc: 2 Mozart Ave verum corpus, K618 Mozart Symphony No 40 in G minor, K550 Beethoven Mass in C, Op 86 with Orchestra Nova Conductor: George Vass; Daisy Brown (soprano); Rebecca Afonwy-Jones (mezzo soprano); Ben Alden (tenor); Michael Bundy (baritone) Tickets: 25 (no concessions), 20, 15, 12 Concessions: Children (under 18) 5 Brass & Organ Spectacular Date: Monday 2nd May Time: 1pm Saint-Saëns Finale from 'Organ' Symphony Mussorgsky The Great Gate of Kiev Strauss Finale from 'Alpine' Symphony Prime Brass, Conductor: Andrew Parnell, Organist: Tom Winpenny Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. 6 Call the Box Office on

5 Music St Albans International Organ Festival Organ Recital Date: Saturday 14th May Time: 5.30pm Escaich Evocation II Rinck Six variations on a theme of Corelli Swayne Riff-Raff Dupré Prelude and Fugue in F minor Op 7 No 2 Liszt arr. Helmut Deutsch Fantasia quasi Sonata Après une lecture de Dante Peter Holder, Sub Organist, St Paul s Catherdral, London Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of the IOFS Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 18th May Time: 12.30pm Tom Etheridge, Senior Organ Scholar, King s College, Cambridge Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. Shakespeare Serenade to Music Date: Saturday 4th June Time: 7.30pm Ralph Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music Mosaic Chamber Choir with St Albans School Orchestra & OVO Theatre Company Conductor: Andrew Lucas In one of St Albans Shakespeare Festival s flagship events, Mosaic Chamber Choir presents a magical evening of Shakespeare-inspired choral music and readings. Tickets are available from Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 15th June Time: 12.30pm Nicholas Freestone, Organ Scholar, St Albans Cathedral Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. How to Book Your Tickets Tickets are available online at by telephoning or by visiting our Box Office (located in the Shop) between 10am 4.45pm Monday to Saturday and 1.00pm 4.45pm on Sunday. Enquiries about events can be sent to boxoffice@stalbanscathedral.org Tickets and/or programmes will also be available for all events at the door on the night, unless previously sold out. 8 Call the Box Office on ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR St Albans Cathedral Saturday 9th July :30pm JS Bach Mass in B Minor St Albans Bach Choir, St Albans Cathedral Choir, Abbey Girls Choir, Abbey Singers Orchestra - The English Concert Conducted by Andrew Lucas Elizabeth Cragg - Soprano Grace Davidson - Soprano William Towers - Countertenor Peter Mitchell - Tenor Thomas Flint - Bass Tickets: 30, 25, 18, 12 Booking: the Cathedral Gift Shop box office

6 Holy Week & Easter Special Services During Holy Week we are invited to share in Christ s own journey, from the triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the desolation of Good Friday and Holy Saturday and finally the joyful celebrations of Easter Sunday. Passiontide Service Sunday 13th March Time: 6.30pm Mothering Sunday Date: 6th March Time: 8am Eucharist; 9.30 Parish Eucharist; 11.15am Sunday Choral Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Choir; 6.30pm Evensong sung by the Cathedral Choir Choral Eucharist for Ascension Day Date: Thursday 5th May Time: 5pm A Choral Eucharist celebrating Christ's ascension to heaven. Sung by the boys of the Cathedral Choir. Solemn Evensong for Pentecost Date: Sunday 15th May Time: 6.30pm A powerful meditative service of music, poetry and prayer, marking the start of Passiontide. Sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. Palm Sunday Procession Sunday 20th March Time: 9.30am Meet by the Clock Tower in the High Street, ready to set off for the procession to the Cathedral. Bring a branch or some greenery from home to wave as we walk! Compline and Address Monday 21st March - Wednesday 23rd March Time: 8pm Maundy Thursday Trinity Sunday Choral Eucharist Thursday 24th March Chrism Eucharist Time: 11am Choral Eucharist & Benediction for the feast of Corpus Christi Date: Thursday 26th May Time: 8pm A sung eucharist gathering together the clergy and lay ministers throughout the diocese for an act of commitment to ministry and the blessing of the holy oils for use throughout the following year. A Choral Eucharist to commemorate the day of thanksgiving for the institution of Holy Communion sung by the men of the Cathedral Choir. Maundy Eucharist Time: 8pm A solemn evensong, marking the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. Date: Sunday 22nd May Time: 11.15am Taizé Service Date: Sunday 5th June Time: 6.30pm An evening service with instrumental music, a meditation and singing. This service includes the washing of the feet of 12 people and is followed by the stripping of all decoration from the altars. A vigil of prayer is kept until midnight. Sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. The Alban Pilgrimage 2016 Date: Saturday 18th June See pages for full details of this special day. Abbey Girls Choir 20th Anniversary Evensong Date: Saturday 25th June Time: 4pm 10 (C) Ryan Fisher 11

7 Holy Week & Easter Easter Day Good Friday On the Sunday Jesus disciples found his tomb was empty, then met and ate with the risen Jesus. Easter celebrations continue with festival services throughout the day. Friday 25th March Today we remember Jesus death on a cross. 10am: Pre-school Children s Service On Good Friday, the Cathedral will hold a children's event for all primary school aged children. The event will involve a mixture of story-telling, activities and crafts. For more information, please visit the Cathedral website. Three Hours Devotion 12pm 1.30pm: Preaching of the Passion 1.30pm 3pm: The Liturgy of Good Friday sung by the Cathedral Choir Unity at the Cross 8pm: An ecumenical service lead this year by Churches Together in St Albans Easter Eve Saturday 26th March On the Saturday, Jesus body lay in the tomb. This is a quiet day of preparations for Easter celebrations which start as night falls. 4pm: Evensong Sung by the men of the Cathedral Choir. Sunday 27th March 10am: Sung Eucharist To be broadcast live on BBC One. Please arrive by 8.45am pm: Said Eucharist 6.30pm: Evensong Sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. Easter Monday Monday 28th March Easter Monday Pilgrimage People, young and old, walk to the Cathedral from across the diocese to meet and gather in the Cathedral from 2pm. Service starts at 3pm. The Alban Bun The Original Hot Cross Bun For nearly 700 years, the Alban Bun has been a part of the Easter tradition at St Albans Cathedral and will be available to buy this Easter from the Abbot s Kitchen from 10th February until 3rd April. This predecessor of the Hot Cross Bun is said to originate in St Albans, where Brother Thomas Rocliffe, a 14th Cenutry monk at St Albans Abbey, developed an original recipe and distributed the bun to the local poor on Good Friday, starting in These delicious buns are best served toasted and with butter! 8pm: Easter Vigil This first service of Easter begins quietly in darkness, but ends in joyful light and noise. Includes baptisms and confirmations from across the diocese. BBC's Songs of Praise will be recording hymns in the Cathedral on Easter Monday. If you enjoy singing and would like to take part, please see further details at bbc.co.uk/songsofpraise For more information on services throughout Holy Week and Easter, please call or go to

8 The Alban Pilgrimage 2016 Join the crowds in St Albans as the city comes together to celebrate Britain s first saint, Alban. Enjoy a wonderful spectacle as giant carnival puppets tell the story of the remarkable man who gave the city its name. Roman chariots, centurions, lions and roses all take their place in the dramatic procession from St Peter s Church, through the historic streets to St Albans Cathedral. On the day... Celebrate Britain's First Saint 11am Pilgrimage Procession The route begins at St Peter s Church and continues past the Town Hall and Clock Tower, before ending at the West End of the Cathedral. 12pm Festival Eucharist Preacher: The Rt Revd Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool. The service will be sung by the men of the Cathedral Choir and the Abbey Girls Choir. St Albans Saturday 18th June Preachers The Rt Revd Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool The Revd Steve Chalke, Oasis UK 4pm Festival Evensong and Procession to the Shrine Preacher: The Revd Steve Chalke, Oasis UK. The service will be sung by the Cathedral Choir. 12pm Children s Worship and Activities A mixture of songs, readings and activities, before joining the Festival Eucharist for Communion. Children must be registered to participate in advance. See website for details. All are also welcome to to attend the Orthodox Service and Veneration of the Relic at the Shrine of St Alban at 2pm. At 3pm Anointing for Healing will take place in the Lady Chapel

9 The Alban Pilgrimage 2016 Food and Drink The Abbot s Kitchen is situated in the Chapter House and will be open on the day from 10.00am-4.30pm. The menu is full of regional and seasonal delights to suit all tastes and includes breakfasts, lunches, light bites, cakes and pastries, afternoon teas and a range of hot & cold drinks. Pilgrims are welcome to bring a picnic to eat on the Abbey Orchard. There will also be some outside catering on the Abbey Orchard, near the West End area of the Cathedral. Souvenirs Situated in the South Transept, the Shop is open from 10.00am-5.00pm. On sale is a selection of pilgrimage merchandise, as well as an attractive range of religious items, a range of religious and secular books, ornaments, jewellery, souvenirs and greetings cards. Recent CD recordings by the Cathedral Choir, Abbey Girls Choir and our Cathedral Organists are also available to purchase. Family Fun Here at the Cathedral, children s events are going on all year round. We especially love to welcome children and families during the school holidays, when we run our free Family Discovery Mornings and other exciting trails. Alban Pilgrimage Puppets Exhibition Date: 7th June 30th June (Excluding the day of the Pilgrimage) A stunning exhibition of the puppets used for the Alban Pilgrimage, which takes place this year on 18th June. Walk around the Cathedral and visit lions, romans, Alban, Amphibalus and many more characters from an historic event in British history. Family Discovery Mornings Time: 10am 12.30pm Price: Free. Donations gratefully received. Thursday 7th April Cosmic Costumes Years of Fashion Learn all about clothes and fashion since the time of Alban, Britain s first Saint. See what it s like to wear the clothes of a Saxon, a Tudor or even a Roman soldier! Thursday 2nd June Special Journeys Learn all about the history of pilgrimage and other journeys, including the history of the Alban Pilgrimage. Children s Explorer Guide Price: 1.00 Become an Official Explorer of St Albans Cathedral Whatever day you visit, with our exciting Children s Explorer Guide you can find out more about Saint Alban and follow a fun trail around the Cathedral, learning fascinating facts as you go. (C) Alan Herbert Don t forget that you can sign up to receive information about all our Family Events on the Cathedral website

10 Tours Tower Tours Enjoy the best views in town! Wednesday 30th March 11am 12.30pm Saturday 30th April 10am 11.30am 1pm 2.30pm Saturday 28th May 10am 11.30am 1pm 2.30pm Sunday 19th June 2pm 3.15pm 4.30pm Price: 8 This spectacular tour takes you all the way to the top of the Norman Bell Tower via the north transept gallery, the ringing and bell chambers, before your final climb out onto the roof of the tower. Tickets are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Restrictions apply. See website for details. There will be more tours taking place throughout the summer. Keep an eye on our website and social media for more details. A Life Unravelled Date: Exhibitions 15th January 20th March This beautiful sculpture by local artist Susan Brzeski, is inspired by the movement of people around the world due to war, terror and poverty and represents the pain, despair, and loss felt by them, as well as the strength, hope and determination to continue and find a new life. The sculpture is currently on display in the north transept. More information can be found at Book a tower tour online at: call or visit the Box Office located in the Cathedral Gift Shop. Revelation Threads Date: 18th April 6th June Revelation Threads is a spectacular display of textile art created by artist Jacqui Parkinson, showing many images from the book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible. Raising issues of life and faith, good and evil, death and judgement, resurrection and a new Heaven and a new Earth, it has been designed as a set of fourteen panels. The panels will be on display around Cathedral. More to Explore Dates: 6th March, 3rd April, 1st May, 5th June Time: 3pm Price: Free Join our expert Cathedral Guides every month for these fascinating specialist More to Explore Tours which reveal some of the building s hidden gems and little known secrets. 6th March: The Wooden Watching Chamber 3rd April: Queen Eleanor; She of the Crosses 1st May: Women in the Abbey 5th June: The Ecumenical Chaplaincy of St Albans Pilgrimage Puppets Date: 7th June 30th June For details of this exhibition, please see page 16. For exhibition opening times, please see the Cathedral website

11 Talks Learning at St Albans Cathedral The Cathedral is passionate about its role as a provider of education and enrichment and boasts a thriving programme of events, courses and talks. Listed are this summer s highlights. God, the Big Bang and Stephen Hawking Date: Wednesday 6th April Time: 7.30pm Price: 6 In this lecture the Canon Scientist, the Revd Prof David Wilkinson, will describe current models of the origin of the universe and reflect on the theological questions which naturally arise. New and Old: Ancient Ways and the Freshness of Grace Date: Wednesday 18th May Time: 7.30pm Price: 6 The Canon Philosopher, the Revd Dr Andrew Davison, will lecture on the centrality of newness for Christian faith and practice, and will suggest that a binary separation between the ancient and new fails to take full account of either. Poems of the Kingdom Date: Thursday 2nd June Time: 7.30pm Price: 10 The Ven Jonathan Smith, Archdeacon of St Albans, will be sharing some of the poems which have helped his understanding and appreciation of the nature of God s Kingdom. Open Forum on Faith and Science Date: Thursday 23rd June Time: 8.00pm Price: 5 The second of our Faith and Science Forum events, exploring and discussing the topic of Genetic Engineering, with the Revd Dr Tim Bull, Diocesan Director of Ministry. Sacred Bones, Stones & Stories: the interpretation of Cathedrals and Scripture Date: Wednesday 13th July Time: 8.00pm Price: 6 A lecture by the Canon Chancellor, the Revd Dr Kevin Walton. How to Book Your Tickets Tickets are available online at by telephoning or by visiting our Box Office (located in the Shop) between 10am & 4.45pm Monday to Saturday and 1.00pm pm on Sunday. Enquiries about talks & courses can be sent to studycentre@stalbanscathedral.org St Albans Cathedral Education Centre The award winning Education Centre brings a variety of curriculum subjects to life in original and surprising ways, including R.E., History, Maths & English. Using the Cathedral as its classroom, over 14,000 children a year from nursery up to sixth form are welcomed by our team. For more information call or education@stalbanscathedral.org

12 Visitor Information Abbot s Kitchen Situated in the Chapter House, the Abbot s Kitchen serves delicious lunches, afternoon teas, children s meals and refreshments. Opening times Monday to Saturday , Sunday The Abbot s Kitchen can also provide catering for large groups, functions and special occasions. For reservations please call or abbots@elior.com Cathedral Shop Our Cathedral Shop has a wide range of souvenirs and gifts to suit all ages and tastes. There are gifts for special occasions, birthdays, baptisms and weddings, plus a beautiful range of Cathedral and Saint Alban souvenirs and recordings by the Cathedral Choirs. It also features a great range of books, including a superb collection of children s books, local interest and history titles. We stock books by our clergy and local authors, and carry an extensive range of general greetings cards, special occasion cards and postcards. Opening times Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 1pm-5pm For all enquiries please call or enterprises@stalbanscathedral.org Support St Albans Cathedral St Albans Cathedral is a National Treasure and relies heavily upon the generosity of its congregation and visitors. If you would like to play a role in preserving and enhancing St Albans Cathedral for future generations you can: Make a donation by text Simply text NAVE01 10 or NAVE01 5 to Become a Friend of St Albans Cathedral The Friends are a group of people of all faiths and none - who love this place, and who help to sustain and enhance the Cathedral. Amongst the many activities of the Friends is a wonderful social programme, which is also open to non-members. For more information on becoming a Friend, friends@stalbanscathedral.org or call For other ways to donate please visit Our Regular Services All are welcome at Cathedral services. Sunday Services 8.00 The Eucharist 9.30 Parish Eucharist Prayers for Healing (3rd Sunday) Choral Eucharist (1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday) Matins (3rd Sunday) The Eucharist (3rd Sunday) Evensong Weekday Services 7.30 Morning Prayer 8.00 The Eucharist The Eucharist at the Shrine of Saint Alban Evensong On Fridays, the service at 12 noon is the Roman Catholic Mass. Saturday Services 8.30 Morning Prayer 9.00 The Eucharist The Eucharist at the Shrine of Saint Alban Evensong Services Once a Month 2nd Wednesday Mothers Union Eucharist 3rd Wednesday Teddy Bear Service Ecumenical Services We hold regular services of different Christian denominations. Roman Catholic Mass is celebrated every Friday at German Lutheran A service in German on the last Tuesday of every month at Free Church The first Wednesday of every month at Orthodox Monthly on Tuesdays at (check our service list for dates). A Day Chaplain is available for consultation on most days. At other times please ask to see a member of the Cathedral staff. Occasionally, special services interrupt our usual pattern of worship. A full, monthly Service & Music List is available at St Albans Cathedral is part of the international Green Pilgrimage Network, committed to raising environmental standards. For more information go to