Cathedral Notices - 7 June 2026
A reflection from Canon Nick
A new D-Day beacon has just been installed near Southsea seafront. It was originally commissioned for a D-Day 80 event in the dockyard and reflected the thousands of beacons lit then to symbolise the ‘light of peace’ which emerged from World War II.
This beacon, which was designed and engineered by BAE Systems, now has a permanent home next to the D-Day Landing Craft outside the D-Day Story museum, all just in time for D-Day 82 commemorations. The Cathedral choir is involved this year and currently in Normandy for this, singing at Le Sur Mer and then Bayeux Cemetery.
The beacon features five steel plates, each named after one of the Normandy landing beaches. Above each name is a glass capsule containing sand from that beach, creating a lasting and fitting tribute to the international effort behind the D-Day landings. At a time of international unrest and concern, it is appropriate to be reminded of the terrible cost of war, and to redouble our efforts to build and maintain international peace and reconciliation rather than division.
As the Cathedral of the Sea, we strongly support such tributes, commemorations and peacebuilding. It is a normal part of our life and service to the city and nation of which we are proud to be a part.
Our own Cathedral’s vision opens with these words: ‘Portsmouth Cathedral: a beacon and a safe haven, anchored in Jesus Christ’. We too are a beacon not just physically in the building, but spiritually in our worshipping life, and also in you, in the people who visit, support, volunteer, and work at Portsmouth Cathedral. Place, people and worship are necessarily linked. Yes, we can worship God anywhere, but it helps to have a focal point – that is what beacons are for!
The other beacon happening this weekend is Portsmouth Pride. We are committed as a Christian community to the full inclusion of all people, and this is one of many ways in which we can show our strong support for diversity, inclusion, and equality.
The Reverend Canon Nick Ralph, Residentiary Canon Director of Social Enterprise and Engagement
Community News
Welcoming Bishop Jonathan to #Pompey Sundays on Trinity Sunday
It has been an exciting fortnight at #Pompey Sunday! Last week we had the joy of celebrating our 5th birthday, and this week we were delighted to welcome Bishop Jonathan, who also then attended and led both the 11am City Service and Choral Evensong, which also saw the Installation of the Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight.
During our #Pompey Sunday Service, Bishop Jonathan reminded us of three beautiful truths at heart of our faith: that God is with us, that God is for us, and that God is love.
We’ve hit our £50,000 target and the steeplejacks are booked in to start work on our belfry!
We are delighted to share that thanks to a generous anonymous donation, success obtaining two grants from Benefact Trust and Syder Foundation, and your appeal donations, we have managed to raise to date £65,645 to meet the belfry works and work can begin in September.
As total costs for this work equal £120,000 and our projected budget is running at a deficit this year, we need to keep the appeal open as well as run fundraising tours to help meet the remaining costs.
Belfry Tours
We shall be offering tours of our historic belfry throughout June and July. Each tour will allow you to enjoy the chance to enjoy the view from the top with a glass of bubbly and discover more about this amazing part of our cathedral’s history and architecture from one of our experienced guides and bell ringers. This could be a perfect treat for yourself or a birthday or anniversary present for someone you love.
Further details on how to book will be shared in the coming weeks.
Portsmouth Sing 100
On the weekend of 8-10 May the Cathedral Choir helped lead musical celebrations marking the centenary of the city. The Cathedral Choir sang Vespers at St John’s Cathedral re-affirming our partnership between our two cathedrals; we were part of 250 singers and orchestral players on stage at The Guildhall on Saturday 9 May with a concert of music by Parry, Rutter, Swain and MacDowell; and then Cathedral Consort sang a stirring Evensong on the Sunday to conclude the festivities.
A big thank you to all our volunteers!
The cathedral is so lucky to have a team of over 150 volunteers supporting it in a variety of roles. These include Churchwardens, Sidespeople, Flower Guild, Holy Dusters, events, hospitality, the shop, education, guides and welcomers, Anna Chaplains, Lay Pastoral Assistants, gardeners, singers and musicians, bell ringers, toddler group, servers, intercessors, readers, lunch club, office, researchers, and committees. We would like to thank all our volunteers for their continued support and are extremely grateful for all they do. We couldn’t do it without you!
In the last year we have welcomed 47 volunteers into 65 roles, including:
18 Events volunteers
9 Shop
3 stewards and Guides
3 Education, 2 Pompey Tots,
6 Consort, 3 Sidespeople, 3 Servers
4 Flower Guild, 4 Gardeners, 2 Lunch Club
Are you interested in volunteering with us? Find more information visit our website.
Gala Dinner to Launch Music Endowment Fund
The weekend of the 4th and 5th of July sees an opportunity to mark David Price's thirtieth year in post at Portsmouth Cathedral. We shall be welcoming back former choristers and gappers to mark this occasion.
We are also launching a Music Endowment Fund that weekend to secure our work with choirs in perpetuity. We shall be hosting a Gala Dinner at The Royal Maritime Club to mark this new venture, and all members of our community are invited to come to this fundraising evening.
College of Canons meets for annual gathering
On Tuesday, Dean Anthony and Residentiary Canons were joined by the Archdeacons, Honorary Canons and Lay Canons for the annual meeting of the College of Canons.
The Dean opened the meeting with an update on the Cathedral’s life and work, including reflections from the recent National Cathedrals Conference. Members then discussed the newly published Theos report, Living Stones, which explores the role English cathedrals as sacred spaces in changing times. Zoë Colbeck, Chief Operating Officer, then gave a briefing on Project Narthex and the findings of a recent BDO report on the operational sustainability of cathedrals.
Looking ahead, Neil Pugmire, Diocesan Director of Communications, outlined plans for the 2027 centenaries of both the diocese and the cathedral. Finally, Bishop Jonathan closed the meeting with words of appreciation for the life and work of the Cathedral, and in particularly for the variety and quality of its worship.
DDay 82
The Cathedral Choir is in Normandy for the D-Day commemorations. The Boy Choristers, Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars will be singing at events in Bayeux, Caen and Arromanches, which include the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer and the annual Memorial at Bayeux Cathedral on Saturday, 6 June.
Upcoming BBC broadcasts
We've been pleased to be invited to host two BBC Radio broadcasts this month from Portsmouth.
On Friday 19 June we shall record 5:45pm Evensong to be broadcast on Radio 3 the following Wednesday for The Feast of the Birth of St John the Baptist.
And on Saturday 20 June at 5pm we will be leading Radio 4 Morning Worship which will then be broadcast on 'Sea Sunday' 12 July at 8:10am. Both services will feature the Cathedral Choir, The Dean and The Precentor and The Chaplain of The Fleet will preach for the Saturday recording.
Seafood on the Green - Summer Raffle News!
Escape the crowds on the 4 July and join us for some al fresco dining at Seafood on the Green, enjoy a wonderful lunch and support our Cathedral choristers.Don’t forget our Summer Raffle, tickets available at the Cathedral Shop, with some fantastic prizes to be won including:
First Prize — £100 worth of Marks & Spencer vouchers
Second Prize — £50 Portsmouth Theatre vouchers
Third Prize — Trio of wine
Plus a selection of beautiful hampers and prizes, including a Portsmouth Print kindly donated by local artist Dave Thompson, Lancôme perfume set and a variety of vouchers for local businesses.
There’s something for everyone! Raffle tickets are available from the Cathedral Shop and all proceeds from the event and raffle will go towards supporting our Cathedral choristers. With Thanks to event sponsor Chinneck Shaw.
For more about Seafood on the Green and to book tickets, see our website.
@CofE Portsmouth - Summer edition
The summer edition of @CofE Portsmouth includes articles about Stuart McKerracher, who joins Portsmouth Cathedral as Cathedral Curate after his ordination at the end of June, and one of our volunteers, Santhosh, who is part of the team of servers.
Copies of the latest edition of the magazine are available in the Cathedral.
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for: Aaron and Jo, who celebrated their Wedding Blessing here yesterday
We remember those for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Simon, Don, Pauline, Hillary, John, David, Ann, Marion, Gordon, Jean, Andrew, Tom, Matthew, Paul, Sylvia, Anne.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Phil, Wynne, Nigel, Jill, Abbie, Martin, Colin, Richard, Hazel, Spencer, Karen, Jennifer, Carole, Davina, Philip, Mathai, Chris, Graeme, Alistair, Ralph, Lila, Lotti.
We remember those who have died recently, including: The Revd Mary Tilman, Edward Stanley, Ron Silverthorne, Annabel Benton, Selwyn, Jeremy, Jane French, Colin Martin, and the 3 members of the Royal Navy killed in the helicopter crash RIP