Southern National Carol Service at Wells Cathedral - 7th December 2017
The second of TG’s national Carol Services took place in Wells Cathedral has been described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals” and is the earliest English Cathedral to be built in the Gothic style.
The current building is a significant landmark in Somerset and the South West. As well as its iconic West Front, Wells Cathedral has unique features that separate it from other English cathedrals including the beautiful ‘scissor arches’ supporting the central tower. The Cathedral houses one of the largest collections of historic stained glass in the country and also boasts the famous Wells Clock (considered to be the second oldest clock mechanism in Great Britain), the fascinating octagonal Chapter House and one of only four chained libraries in the UK.
The Service started at 2pm with 700 members in the congregation, and after being greeted by the Reverend Canon Dr Graham Dodds, Jenny Rideout and Penny Ryan read a poem, written by TG member Ellen Jenkinson. During it, three characters who had been sitting amongst the congregation walked slowly down the aisle to the front. These were homeless, friendless and jobless and the members were urged to befriend or even just give a smile to everyone.
The rest of the service was traditional, with a solo and songs sung by local choirs, the Swan Singers, the Wells Cathedral Song Squad and the Mixed Chamber Choir of Downside School.
After the service, the Trustees said goodbye to the members at the main door. Everyone that we spoke to said that this service, with the theme of loneliness and friendship had been a very uplifting experience.
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