Cathedral Notices - 26 April 2026
A reflection from Canon Jo
We have enjoyed some special centenary bellringing this week. As well as some extra ringing last Sunday, our Cathedral ringers marked last Tuesday’s centenary of the City of Portsmouth with a new composition (based on the method of Grandsire Caters, I am reliably informed) – a composition which resulted in a total of 1,926 changes being rung for the occasion!
The date of 21st April 1926, the date when Portsmouth was granted city status, would also come to be remembered, of course, as the birthday of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. So a very appropriate date for the cathedral bells to ring out.
The city's centenary will be celebrated further from 8 to 10 May with “Sing 100” – a festival of classical and light music taking place across the city. Our Cathedral Choir will be singing Vespers at 6pm on Friday 8 May at St John’s Catholic Cathedral, jointly with the St John’s Cathedral Choir. That evening at 7:30pm there will be a celebrity organ recital here, given by Ian Tracey, the stylish organist of Liverpool Cathedral. On Saturday, 9 May, our choir joins in a Gala Civic Concert at the Guildhall, together with a number of other local choirs and the musicians of the Royal Marines. Then on Sunday, 10 May, the University of Portsmouth Choir will perform a ‘Sing Up Pompey’ concert here at 3pm (for those not finishing the final part of our Rogation Sunday walk!), and then the weekend concludes with Choral Evensong at 5:45pm.
Meanwhile, this Sunday is traditionally called Good Shepherd Sunday as the Gospel reading is always part of John, chapter 10 – where Jesus says, ‘I am the Gate for the sheep… I am the Good Shepherd… I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’
We are due to have real sheep with us this Sunday, courtesy of Chapter member (and former Lay Clerk) Bryn Hughes, who keeps sheep and will be bringing two of his lambs to the 9:30am #PompeySundays service. Apparently the lambs have had quite a lot of abundant life and are quite well-grown at this time of year – perhaps rather more chunky than cute at this stage. It's good for us all to remember that Christ, our Good Shepherd, can cope with every single one of us, however cute or chunky we might seem to be! He is the competent and capable Shepherd, who can bring back even the most recalcitrant lost sheep, so that at the last we will all be part of one flock with one Shepherd.
Community News
Portsmouth 100: A Weekend of Music for the City's Centenary
The Cathedral Choir is pleased to play a full role in celebrating the city's centenary.
One hundred years ago, Portsmouth was granted city status. This May, we're helping to mark that milestone in the best way we know how, with music.
Portsmouth 100 is a weekend of celebratory events bringing together some of the city's finest musicians, choirs, and ensembles to mark a century of Portsmouth as a city. And we're delighted that Portsmouth Cathedral is right at the heart of it.
Top-up the Tower! Thanks for your support so far!
We're thrilled to share that thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we've already raised £1,520 towards the cost of repairing and redecorating our historic belfry, and we're so grateful to everyone who has contributed so far.
Our fundraising appeal is very much still open, and 2026 remains a rare and time-limited opportunity to complete this work affordably, so if you haven't yet had a chance to donate, there's still time to help us reach our goal.
As a timber structure, the belfry requires specialist maintenance and repair roughly every five to ten years to protect it from weather damage and decay — an essential cycle of care that preserves the structure and ensures the bells can continue to sound safely above the city.
Important Marmalade decisions... and only 218 nights to think!
A blog post from Rachael – our volunteer coordinator…
I was amused to see that marmalade had made national news and not due to everyone’s favourite bear but because of the nuances of EU rules on the usage of the word marmalade.’. In the German language, 'Marmelade' means 'jam', and as we know, jam comes in many delicious flavours. Our traditional marmalade only comes in one flavour – orange and most usually the bitter Seville orange. Now, though, we will see marmalades of many flavours, and if it happens to be made with oranges, it must be labelled ‘Seville Orange Marmalade' or 'Citrus Marmalade'. I wonder what Paddington thinks about that. How will you label your donation for the Jam & Preserves stall at this year’s Christmas Fair?
Seafood on the Green - Saturday, 4 July
Join us for a sit down al fresco lunch for seafood lovers. Taking place on the green at Portsmouth Cathedral, join us for and enjoy freshly prepared, locally sourced dishes, including seafood paella & platters, pâtés and delicious desserts!
This Sunday - Good Faith: Why England needs its Church
Canon Angela Tilby will introduce her new book (published last week) with a short talk over coffee, followed by an opportunity for Q&A, following the 11am Eucharist on Sunday 26 April. All welcome.
Christian Aid Week: 10–16 May
Christian Aid is an international charity founded by churches in Britain and Ireland over 80 years ago. They work with partners and communities in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to support people experiencing poverty and affected by humanitarian emergencies and climate change.
Learn more and donate →
Sunday Refreshments
Do you enjoy a tea or coffee and chat after Sunday's 11am Eucharist? If so, could you help provide this much-appreciated service no more than once a month? If so, please speak to Sue Ward or any of our volunteers, or get in touch with Rachael, our volunteer coordinator. We would be very happy to hear from you!
Revision of Electoral Roll
The Electoral Roll is being revised until 26 April. A copy is on display in the Cathedral or through the Cathedral Offices. Forms will also be available for new or returning members of the congregation to join/rejoin the Electoral Roll. This year's APCM and Parish Meeting will take place on Thursday, 14 May, at 6:30pm and will include the election of Deanery Synod representatives. If you would like to know more about this role, please contact Canon Harriet.
Work with us…
Head of Finance
Portsmouth Cathedral is seeking an experienced finance professional to join its Senior Management Team as Head of Finance. This is a senior and wide-ranging role, combining strategic financial leadership with hands-on oversight of budgeting, forecasting, reporting, audit and compliance. You will advise Chapter on financial risk and sustainability, lead and develop our finance team, and drive improvements to systems and processes, including potentially establishing a new trading company.
Head of Fundraising - Applications close this Sunday
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Head of Fundraising to lead and further develop our fundraising activity at a pivotal time for the Cathedral. This is a strategic and hands ‑on role, working closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Management Team to secure the resources needed to sustain and grow the Cathedral’s mission, ministry and buildings.
Read more and apply online →
Prayers & Intercessions
We remember those for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Simon, Don, David, Ann, Marion, Gordon, Jean, Andrew, Tom, Wynne, Matthew, Paul, and Pauline.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Mary, Phil, Nigel, Jill, Abbie, Martin, Colin, Richard, Hazel, Spencer, Karen, Jennifer, Carole, Davina, Mathai, Philip, Chris, Graeme, Alistair, Ralph, Lila, and Lotti.
We remember those who have died recently, including: Marie Leafhead (Cathedral Requiem on Tuesday, 28 April 12:30pm), Gerald Wheeler, Sylvia Thomas, Daphne Randle, Marjorie Hayward-Smith, Fred Davies, and Clive Clifton RIP.