Opening Times The Cathedral is open all year round 8.30am - 5.45pm Entry is FREE All donations are gratefully received. Our Box Office is located in the Cathedral Shop or you can call 01727 890290 or book online at www.stalbanscathedral.org What s On St Albans Cathedral May August 2018 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: www.stalbanscathedral.org/visit Pilgrimage Programme Includes (C) Anna McCrum 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: 01727 890210 Email: mail@stalbanscathedral.org www.stalbanscathedral.org (C) Sally Jones Music Tours Family Fun Services Number One St Albans Visitor Attraction @stalbansabbey /StAlbansCathedralOfficial @stalbanscathedral
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 6-8 Music 9 Transforming the Cathedral 10 Special Services 11 Our Regular Services 12-13 The Alban Pilgrimage 2018 14-15 Special Events 16 Family Fun 17 Artist in Residence 18 Exhibitions 19 Tours 20-21 Talks & Education 22 Visitor Information Occasionally additional services and events will be added at short notice please check the website for updates www.stalbanscathedral.org or call 01727 890210. Information is correct at time of going to print. (C) Luke Watson
Top Ten Highlights 1 The Shrine of Saint Alban The Shrine of Saint Alban is a site of national Pilgrimage. People have been coming here for over 1700 years and 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 2018 On Saturday 23rd June join in a city wide celebration of St Alban. This unique event sees giant carnival puppets re-tell the dramatic and moving story of Alban. See pages 12-13 for more details. 4 Summer Holiday Activities for Children Find out what s on for kids over the summer holidays on page 16. We ve got some great activities lined up to tie in with our theme of Express Yourself. 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. Tuesday to Friday 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 Nave Statues Seven statues of martyrs, sculpted by Rory Young, installed in the niches of the medieval nave screen in 2015. FREE Guided Tours of the Cathedral are available daily at the following times: 11.30am Monday to Saturday 2pm Saturday 2.30pm Sunday to Friday If your time is limited, our Highlights Tour takes place at 1.05pm every day of the week. 1 2 3 5 4 7 6 8 9 10 (C) Luke Watson (C) Emma Collins (C) Luke Watson 4 Follow us on Instagram @stalbanscathedral www.stalbanscathedral.org 5
Music How to Book Your Tickets Tickets are available online at www.stalbanscathedral.org, by telephoning 01727 890290 or by visiting our Box Office (located in the Cathedral Shop) between 10am 4.45pm Monday to Friday, 10am 3.45pm on Saturday and 1pm 5pm 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. Brass Spectacular Date: Monday 7th May Time: 1pm Cambridge-based ensemble Prime Brass return to the Cathedral to perform a stirring programme of music for brass and percussion. Programme includes extracts from Mendelssohn s A Midsummer Night s Dream and Liszt s Hungarian Rhapsody. Admission Free. Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 16th May Time: 12.30pm Jonathan Lilley, Director of Music, Waltham Abbey Church Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Date: Saturday 26th May Time: 7.30pm Hosted by the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, students from Tring Park School for the Performing Arts stage Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice s classic musical. A great evening for all the family. Hertford Choral Society Summer Concert Date: Saturday 9th June Time: 7.30pm Conductor: Derek Harrison Sarah Fox (soprano), Robert Gildon (baritone), Marnus Greyling (organ) Sue Graham Smith (piano) with Chameleon Arts Orchestra One of the first symphonies to use a choir throughout, Vaughan Williams A Sea Symphony helped set the stage for a new era of symphonic and choral music in Britain. The programme also features Finzi s Eclogue for piano and strings and works by Mendelssohn and Sumsion. Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 13th June Time: 12.30pm Marnus Greyling, Organ Scholar, St Albans Cathedral Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 11th July Time: 12.30pm Alberto Brigandì, Organist, St Joseph s Church, Highgate & Alessandro Urbano Organiste Titulaire, Église Saint-Martin, Dudelange, Luxembourg, give a joint recital of movements from Holst s The Planets. Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. Music St Albans Bach Choir Elijah Mendelssohn Date: Saturday 14th July Time: 7.30pm St Albans Bach Choir with St Albans Cathedral Choir, St Albans Abbey Girls Choir, Abbey Singers. Conductor: Andrew Lucas with Sinfonia Verdi Rachel Nichols (soprano), Anna Harvey (contralto), Ed Lyon (tenor), Gareth Brynmor John (baritone) From its first performances in 1846, Elijah was hailed as one of the most popular oratorios of its time, alongside Handel s Messiah and Haydn's Creation, and confirmed Mendelssohn as one of the greatest composers of sacred music. The dramatic story of the quarrelsome prophet is told with imaginative orchestration and bold choral effects. In partnership with the St Albans Cathedral Music Trust. 6 Call the Box Office on 01727 890290 www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/music 7
Music Transforming the Cathedral St Albans Bach Choir (C) Chris Christodoulou Sunday Afternoon Organ Recital Date: Sunday 22nd July Time: 3pm Jonathan Ryan, International Concert Organist, USA Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. Sunday Afternoon Organ Recital Date: Sunday 5th August Time: 3pm Isabelle Demers, International Concert Organist, USA and Canada Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. Bank Holiday Organ Recital Date: Monday 27th August Time: 1pm Andrew Lucas, Master of the Music, St Albans Cathedral Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. Thanks to lottery funding, we are undergoing a period of major renovation and improvement. Alban, Britain s First Saint is a transformational project, designed to bring recognition to the remarkable heritage of St Albans Cathedral. As part of the project, we are building a new welcome centre for visitors and a new learning centre for children and adults to enjoy. The project is due to be completed in 2019 and we hope to welcome you again to see the transformation. To find out more and for all the latest news on the Cathedral s plans, sign up to our Alban, Britain s First Saint blog: albanbritainsfirstsaint.wordpress.com. 8 Dates For Your Diary Sunday 9th September Organ Recital, Tom Winpenny, Assistant Master of the Music Saturday 22nd September IOF Organ Recital Saturday 3rd November Come & Sing Saturday 10th November Lea Singers Concert Support St Albans Cathedral St Albans Cathedral is a National Treasure and relies heavily upon the generosity of its congregation and visitors, through donations, regular gifts, legacy bequests and memberships. If you would like to play a role in preserving and enhancing St Albans Cathedral for future generations, please visit us online at www.stalbanscathedral.org/support-us to find out more. Alternatively, to make a donation simply text: NAVE01 10 or NAVE01 5 to 70070. 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. For more information on becoming a Friend, email friends@stalbanscathedral.org or call 01727 890283 Call the Box Office on 01727 890290 9
Special Services Choral Eucharist for Ascension Day Date: Thursday 10th May Time:5pm A Choral Eucharist celebrating Christ's ascension to heaven. Sung by the Cathedral Choir. Thy Kingdom Come Date: Saturday 19th May Time:6.30pm A service of prayer and celebration with Soul Survivor and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Choral Eucharist & Benediction for the Feast of Corpus Christi Date: Thursday 31st May Time:8pm A Choral Eucharist, sung by Exquire, our alumni choir for former choristers and lay clerks, commemorating the day of thanksgiving for the institution of Holy Communion. The Alban Pilgrimage 2018 Date: Saturday 23rd June Please see page 13 for information about services on this special day. Albantide Patronal Festival Sunday Date: Sunday 24th June Time: 10am Combined Eucharist 6.30pm Taizé Service All are welcome at Cathedral services. Sunday Services 8am The Eucharist 9.30am Parish Eucharist 10.30am Prayers for Healing (3rd Sunday) 11.15am Choral Eucharist (1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday) 11.15am Matins (3rd Sunday) 12.15pm The Eucharist (3rd Sunday) 6.30pm Evensong Weekday Services 7.30am Morning Prayer 8am The Eucharist 12 noon The Eucharist at the Shrine of Saint Alban 5pm Evensong (Evening Prayer on a Monday) 7.30pm The Eucharist (Wednesdays) Saturday Services 8.30am 9am Morning Prayer The Eucharist Our Regular Services 12 noon The Eucharist at the Shrine of Saint Alban 4pm Evensong Monthly Services 3rd Wednesday 10am Teddy Bear Service 4th Wednesday 10am Mothers Union Eucharist Ecumenical Services We hold regular services of different Christian denominations. Roman Catholic Mass is celebrated every Friday at 12 noon German Lutheran A service in German on the last Tuesday of every month at 7pm Free Church The first Wednesday of every month at 11am Orthodox Monthly on Tuesdays at 10.30am (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 www.stalbanscathedral.org St Albans Cathedral is part of the international Green Pilgrimage Network, committed to raising environmental standards. For more information go to www.greenpilgrimageeurope.net 10 www.stalbanscathedral.org/worship/specialservices 11
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... 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. Festival Eucharist Preacher: The Very Reverend Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark. The service, immediately following the procession, will be sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and the men of the Cathedral Choir. Children s Worship & 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. 4pm Festival Evensong and Procession to the Shrine Preacher: Stuart Burns OSB of Mucknell Abbey. The service will be sung by the Cathedral Choir. 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. 16 14 www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson www.stalbanscathedral.org 13
Special Events Date for your diary Special Events Christian Aid Week During Christian Aid Week, the Cathedral community comes together to raise awareness and to fundraise for the world s poorest communities. This year support is focused on people such as those in Haiti who regularly experience some of the worst natural disasters on earth. Big Brekkie Date: Saturday 5th May Time: 9.30am 11.30am All are welcome to join us for delicious food at the Big Brekkie fundraising breakfast! Uprooted Exhibition Date: Saturday 12th Friday 18th May Join us for a moving photographic exhibition featuring stories of displaced people in Nigeria, Kenya and Iraq. (C) Luxmuralis/Lichfield Cathedral Poppy Field - Not to be missed! This October, to commemorate the WW1 Centenary, St Albans Cathedral will be hosting a stunning light and sound installation called Poppy Field. Created by Peter Walker, Artist in Residence of Lichfield Cathedral, it features a large scale projection of poppies which will cover the interior of the Cathedral, creating a space in which you can contemplate and reflect on the history of WW1. The installation will be open during the evenings of Friday 26th and Saturday 27th October. Please keep an eye on the Cathedral website for more information - www.stalbanscathedral.org THE 5th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL ST ALBANS FILM FESTIVAL OUTDOOR CINEMA SHORT FILM COMPETITION TALKS & WORKSHOPS SPECIAL EVENTS 26th JUNE to 1st JULY 2018 FOR MORE INFORMATION - WWW.STALBANSFILMFESTIVAL.COM 14 www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson 15
Family Fun Here at the Cathedral, children s events happen all year round. We especially love to welcome children and families during the school holidays, when we run our free Family Discovery Mornings. Artist in Residence Family Fun Family Discovery Mornings Time: 10am 12.30pm Price: Free. Donations gratefully received. Jolly Journeys! Date: Thursday 31st May St Albans has been a destination for travellers for hundreds of years, but why do people come here and how do they get here? Enjoy the chance to dress up as medieval pilgrims, as well as taking part in some amazing art & craft activities! This August, activities will be based on the theme of Express Yourself, using music, arts, crafts and story-telling as ways for children to express themselves. The Nasty Normans! Date: Thursday 9th August Did you know that most of the Cathedral was built by the Normans, but who were they and where did they come from? Visit the amazing Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, learn all about William the Conqueror, and enjoy our wonderful art & craft activities. Musical Mayhem! Date: Thursday 16th August Music and the Cathedral go hand in hand together, so why not spend the morning playing Tudor Instruments, having a go on an organ, learning about the history of music, and creating some amazing musical art & craft activities! Terrific Tales! Date: Thursday 23rd August St Albans Cathedral has some terrific stories to tell, from the Roman times right up to present day. So why not pop along for a morning of story, drama and art & craft fun. Graffiti in the Cathedral As an exciting new stage of our Alban, Britain s First Saint project, we are appointing our first Artist in Residence, who will be with us over the month of August. They will be engaging creatively with the history and architecture of the building - in particular our impressive range of graffiti, some of which stretches back to the sixteenth century - and holding creative workshops as well as calling on our community here to help create an eye-catching final artwork. Children s Graffiti Trail Throughout the first week of August, there will be a very special children s graffiti trail, allowing children to explore the building and find some of our medieval graffiti on their way round. For more information on any of the family events planned during the summer holidays, or updates on our project, keep an eye on our website: www.stalbanscathedral.org Come and visit the Abbot s Kitchen Serving delicious food and refreshments every day! Located in the Marquee, overlooking the park. Open Mon-Sat: 9.30 16.00 - Sun: 12.30 16.30 Tel: 07813 343033 Email: abbots.kitchen@elior.co.uk 16 www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/family 17
Exhibitions Tours Pilgrimage Puppets Exhibition Dates: Friday 25th May - Friday 29th June A stunning exhibition of the puppets used for the Alban Pilgrimage, which takes place this year on Saturday 23rd June. Walk around the cathedral and see lions, romans, Alban, Amphibalus and many more characters from this historic event in British history. Tower Tours Enjoy the best views in town! Saturday 5th May 10am 11.30am 1pm 2.30pm Saturday 9th June 10am 11.30am 1pm 2.30pm Sunday 24th June 2pm 3.15pm 4.30pm Saturday 28th July 10am 11.30am 1pm 2.30pm Wednesday 8th August 11am 12.30pm Saturday 18th August 10am 11.30am 1pm 2.30pm Wednesday 22nd August 11am 12.30pm Price: 9.50 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, weather permitting. Tickets are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Restrictions apply. See website for details. 1066 Mosaic Exhibition Dates: Thursday 7th June Monday 27th August The Medieval Mosaic is a re-creation of the Bayeux Tapestry, made by using 3 million tiny pieces of steel. It is officially a World Record breaking piece of art. The Mosaic has been created by Michael Linton and took 33 years to complete. This remarkable piece of art will be on display in the North Transept of the Cathedral this summer. For exhibition opening times, please see the Cathedral website. Unless otherwise stated, entry to exhibitions at the Cathedral is free. Book a Tower Tour online at: www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/tours, call 01727 890290 or visit the Box Office located in the Cathedral Gift Shop. St Albans Your local supplier of high quality, low priced print. Special Offer 10% off Order of Service design & printing 46 London Road, St Albans, AL1 1NG 01727 752077 www.printshopstalbans.co.uk Offer valid until 31st December 2018 18 www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson 19
Talks Sexuality and Symbolism in the Song of Songs Date: Wednesday 2nd May Time: 7.30pm Price: 10 Join Rabbi Adam for a study session and discussion on the Song of Songs. What's the story with this short story of love and passion? How have Jewish thinkers understood the esotericism and eroticism of Song of Songs and how should we understand it today? Tutor: Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet, Rabbi at St Albans Masorti Synagogue Mr Betjeman s Lovely and Lonely Ladies Date: Tuesday 15th May Time: 8pm Price: 10 A poetry recital focusing on the poems of John Betjeman, which reflect a great appreciation of humanity reflecting the beauty of God, and also demonstrate huge compassion for human sadness and aloneness. Tutor: The Ven. Jonathan Smith, Archdeacon of St Albans Shakespeare s Women Date: Wednesday 16th May Time: 8pm Price: 10 Women play a small but significant part in Shakespeare's plays. By studying some of our favourite female characters, we find insights into the social and moral importance of women in Shakespearean drama and how they affect and are affected by the male characters. Tutor: Canon Margaret Tinsley, Tutor in Literature Energy for Everyone? Date: Thursday 7th June Time: 7.30pm Price: 10 Professor Bill David FRS talks about the challenges of securing future sustainable and affordable energy provision for both the developed and developing worlds. He discusses how his Christian faith is a motivation for stewardship and provision of appropriate resources, and explores some of the many associated ethical and moral issues. Tutor: Prof Bill David FRS, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and University of Oxford Faith and Football Date: Thursday 14th June Time: 7.30pm Price: 10 Stephen Poxon, freelance writer, will talk about his newest writing project, Faith & Football, gently exploring both subjects and welcoming questions on any relevant issues. Tutor: Stephen Poxon, Freelance Writer Exploring the Earliest Story of St Alban A Window on Late Roman Britain Date: Thursday 19th June Time: 7.30pm Price: 10 This talk looks at the latest research into the history of devotion to St Alban, exploring what we might be able to learn from the earliest source about the Roman British Church and the nature of late Roman Christian culture and belief in Britain and on the Continent. Tutor: Mark Laynesmith, University of Reading John Whethamstede: Renaissance Abbot Date: Thursday 28th June Time: 8pm Price: 10 Prof. James Clark talks about the rediscovery of the remains of John Whethamstede (c.1390-1465), and how it reconnects us not only with one of St Albans most colourful abbots, but also with one of the most dramatic eras in its medieval history. Tutor: Prof. James Clark, University of Exeter Praying With Your Eyes Date: Saturday 28th July Time: Evensong at 4pm, talk at c.5pm Price: 10 A special evening event, starting with evensong sung by the Trinitati Cathedral Singers in the glorious setting of the Cathedral, followed by a talk exploring icons and prayer. Tutor: Ian Knowles, Bethlehem Icon Centre How to Book Your Tickets Tickets are available online at www.stalbanscathedral.org/learning, by telephoning 01727 890290 or by visiting our Box Office (located in the Shop) between 10am - 4.45pm Monday to Friday, 10am - 3.45pm Saturday and 1pm - 5pm 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 01727 890212 or email education@stalbanscathedral.org 20 www.stalbanscathedral.org/learning 21
Visitor Information Abbot s Kitchen Overlooking the park, the Abbot s Kitchen serves delicious lunches, afternoon teas, children s meals and refreshments. Opening times Monday to Saturday, 9.30am 4pm, Sunday 12.30pm 4.30pm The Abbot s Kitchen can also provide catering for large groups, functions and special occasions. For reservations please call 07813 343033 or email: abbots.kitchen@elior.co.uk Cathedral Shop The Cathedral Shop has a wide range of souvenirs and gifts to suit all ages and tastes. There are gifts for special occasions such as weddings, baptisms and birthdays, plus an extensive range of greetings cards, Cathedral and Saint Alban souvenirs and recordings by our Cathedral Choirs. The shop also carries a wide range of books, including children s books, local interest and history titles and books written by our clergy. Opening Times Monday to Friday 10am 4.45pm, Saturday 10am 3.45pm and Sunday 1pm 5pm. For all enquiries please call 01727 890213 or email: enterprises@stalbanscathedral.org While You re Here St Albans is a unique English Cathedral city, with over 2000 years of history within easy, walkable reach. Verulamium Museum New Museum and Gallery Clock Tower Charter Market For more information see www.enjoystalbans.com 22