The Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral

President  The Right Reverend Christopher Foster, Bishop of Portsmouth

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.

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.

Yearbook

Additional copies of the Yearbook are available through the Cathedral Shop price £2.50

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, bike racks and a new donations box. 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 a new chest, by Stephen Lamont, to house the Sarum Group altar frontals.

        Altar Frontal Chest

        designed and made by Stephen Lamont

                               Green Vestments

                    designed by Jane Lemon

                    made by the Sarum Group

The Organ Doors

designed by

the late Patrick Caulfield RA

Choir Stalls

designed by Barber & Osgerby,

crafted by Windmill Furniture

   Donations Box

   by Luke Hughes

 Bike racks

funded by

the Friends and Portsmouth City Council

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