The Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral

President  

Chairman of the Friends   Captain Andrew Slater (Royal Navy)

General Information           

The Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral were established some twenty years ago to develop links between the parishes of the Portsmouth diocese and the Cathedral. It is now an active organisation with a growing membership and committed fully to:

• Strengthening the relationship between the parishes in the diocese and the Cathedral

• Supporting, financially and otherwise, the maintenance and development of the Cathedral, and its ministry and mission

• Encouraging links between all who share an interest in or who support the Cathedral, whether within or outside the Diocese

Most parishes have a designated Parish Representative who acts as the main link between the parish and the Cathedral, informing the congregation of special services and events at the Cathedral as well as the activities of the Friends. Greeting Cards are always sent to each parish on the occasion of their Patronal or Dedication Festival. The Friends can arrange for requests for prayers to be included in the Cathedral intercessions and publicity for other special parish events.

Projects supported by the Friends

The Friends have also contributed greatly to the fabric and work of the Cathedral and recent donations have included a balustrade for the Singing Gallery, the complete refurbishment of the Canons’ Vestry, Altar Vestments, the doors of the West Great Organ Case, new Choir Stalls and robes for the choristers. The Friends also support regularly Children’s Workshops held in the Cathedral.

Latest Project

The latest project supported by the Friends is the provision of new sets of vestments for each liturgical season for use in the Cathedral on Sundays.  The Green Set, designed by Jane Lemon was delivered in mid-May and is now in use in the Cathedral.  The set celebrates the Cathedral's life as the Cathedral of the Sea and takes as its motif the Tree of Life from the West Doors and were dedicated on Sunday, 8th June 2008.

Previous projects are shown below:

                      The Organ Doors designed by the late Patrick Caulfield RA

 The New Choir Stalls designed by Barber & Osgerby,

crafted by Windmill Furniture

Membership of the Friends

Membership of the Friends is open to all who wish to support the Cathedral by their prayers or their interest in its life and ministry, and we should be delighted to welcome you. For membership details and an application form, please see below.

Friends are invited to the Annual General Meeting and Festal Evensong.  They receive each summer a copy of the Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral Yearbook which contains articles about the life of the Cathedral as well as reports on the work and activities of the Friends’ Council.  There is also a Christmas newsletter which aims to publicise events for the following year.

If you would like to know more of the Friends’ work or membership then please contact the General Secretary or Membership Secretary friends@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk   or 023 9289 2963.

Forthcoming Events

Quiet Day and Outing in 2010

If you would like tea following the meeting, please email friends@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or ring the Membership Secretary on 023 9289 2963.

Think about the things that are true and honourable and right and
pure and beautiful and respected…And the God who gives peace will be with you.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9