Weekly Notices | 7 September 2025

A Reflection by David Price

This week I begin my 30th year in post as Organist of Portsmouth Cathedral! What thoughts are going through my mind at this slightly crazy and scary milestone? In summary, lots of things are even more exciting and sustaining than they were in 1996 – and many, many things are a bit more challenging.

What’s brilliant about this place though is that we are able to sustain and champion the best things about the Anglican Choral tradition, but also at the same time plot different paths from some of our older sister cathedrals and adapt and innovate in a more nimble way than perhaps comes naturally to older foundations.

As we closed the choir year last July we had reached 70 choristers on our books – having said goodbye to our summer leavers we will again work at our recruitment of boys and girls – a never-ending task. But we begin the year with a very solid team of 62 choristers alongside our adults including a new Lay Clerk Eliot, 4 new Choral Scholars Jeremy, Alex, Henry, Sam and Organ Scholar, Michael.

This term will see the start of a new singing project Small Sounds which will work with toddlers and their parents. And our Cathedral Sing Project will be re-booted. We’re grateful to the national charity, Cathedral Music Trust for supporting these two endeavours. Two new Choir Church projects will start in Gosport and Portsmouth with our on-going support and encouragement.

Whilst we celebrate all our work with the newest members of the team and our smallest people, I also want to thank the now Rev’d Kitty for all her support behind the scenes all these years as well as those on the music foundation who’ve been around even longer than me! Speaking of whom, we salute Prof Bryn Hughes who will be installed as our newest Lay Member of Chapter next Sunday morning after more than 40 years in the choir. And to the small but dedicated team who help lead the choirs including the Lay Clerks, Canon Jo, Sachin our Sub Organist, our Choir Matrons.

David Price
Organist & Master of the Choristers

Dates for your diary…

Choral Evensong with Installation of the Archdeacon of Portsdown – Sunday, 7 September at 5:45pm
Back to School Yoga (8-12 year olds) – Wednesday, 10 September at 4:00pm
Lunchtime Live - Gavin Stevens (piano) – Thursday, 11 September at 1:10pm
Choral Evensong with visiting choir - In Ecclesia – Saturday, 13 September at 5:45pm
Luther Vandross - The Candlelight Concert – Saturday, 13 September at 7:30pm
Choral Evensong with Installations to the Music Foundation – Sunday, 14 September at 5:45pm
Cathedral Lunch Club – Monday, 15 September at 12:30pm

Community News

Harvest Barn Dance Tickets Selling Fast – 20 September

Promenade those cowboy boots and allemande in your checked shirt through an evening of lively traditional dancing. Our annual Harvest Barn Dance is back, with entertainment lead by the popular Woodsiders Ceilidh & Barn Dance Band. Join us for an exhilarating evening and succulent supper of roasted loin of pork or stuffed pepper. Doors open 6:30pm, dancing commences at 7pm with a break for supper at 8pm. Portsmouth Cathedral Nave. Tickets include supper.

Learn more and book online here.

Afghanistan Earthquake Appeal

Our local Christian Aid fundraiser has been in touch to encourage us as a Cathedral community to contribute to their emergency Afghanistan Earthquake Appeal. Last week a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck eastern and rural Afghanistan - and shook buildings from Kabul to Pakistan's capital Islamabad – and has killed more than 800 people. Anything we can give will share hope with people in need, and ensure local responders can continue to support people who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones.

Sue Ward, who does so much to promote the vital work of Christian Aid, will make Emergency Appeal envelopes available in the Cathedral on Sunday. We invite you to please support this appeal if you can, either via one of these envelopes, or perhaps even better by donating now via this link:

Donate to Christian Aid here

Bible reflections for Older people

The latest edition of the Bible Reading Fellowship's Bible reflections for older people is now available. There are contributions from two of our own Portsmouth Canons: Canon Angela Tilby and Canon Debbie Thrower. The Cathedral shop has copies in stock of the latest edition. These reflections are designed to bring hope, assurance and sustenance, reminding the reader of the presence and love of God. Each issue contains 40 Bible reflections and prayer suggestions to use and revisit as often as is needed. In the central section, Debbie Thrower of BRF’s The Gift of Years ministry (Founder of the Anna Chaplain movement and Canon of Honour here) offers interviews and ideas to encourage and inspire. Canon Angela Tilby offers a series of reflections on 'the Hope of Glory'.

Out and About

Dean Anthony will be attending and giving a blessing at the Emergency Services Day Flag Raising on Tuesday 9th September at 9:00am at the Guildhall Square.

Our Cathedral Sing team led by Adrian Green starts work this week with schools on the Isle of Wight.

Exploring the Bible: The Psalms

Part of our series of courses exploring the Bible, come and delve into the Psalms and learn about their history, how they are used in worship and prayer, and why they are significant to Christians today. Tuesday evenings in the Bishop Kenneth Room at 6.30pm-8:00pm, taking place on 16, 23, 30 September and 7 October

Please email Canon Harriet at if you would like to attend.

The Word is Near

The Word is Near will return next Wednesday 3 September from 10:30–11:30am in Bishop Kenneth Room. Join us for coffee and discussion on the forthcoming Sunday Bible readings. All are welcome.

Installation of the Archdeacon of Portsdown

Canon Bob White will be collated and installed as Archdeacon at 5:45pm on Sunday 7 September during Choral Evensong. All are welcome at the service and the reception that follows. Read more here

Master Planning consultation

We are at the beginning of an exciting journey as we undertake a Master Planning process for Portsmouth Cathedral and its Green.

At this stage, nothing has been decided or set in stone. The displays you may have seen inside the Cathedral, including artist impressions, are there to help us imagine possibilities for the future. They are not final plans, but conversation starters to spark ideas and dialogue.

Some of the themes we are exploring include:

Storytelling– how we share the history and meaning of this place with all who come.

The Cathedral Green– ways it could become more welcoming and better used.

Flexible Spaces– creating areas that can serve both worship and wider community use.

Sustainability– ensuring we care for the environment and secure financial resilience for the future.

Accessibility– making sure everyone feels welcome and able to participate fully.

We would love to hear your thoughts, feelings, and ideas about these areas. Your input will help shape the vision for the Cathedral’s future.

👉 Inside the Cathedral, you will find a link to our interactive online survey. Please do take the time to complete it and share your perspective.

Together, we can imagine and shape a vibrant, sustainable, and welcoming future for our Cathedral and its Green.

Worship & Visiting

Every day, Portsmouth Cathedral is open for worship, prayer, and visiting. Unless otherwise specified, services do not require booking. Our website contains orders of service, as well as information about visiting the Cathedral.

Services this weekend

8:00am – Holy Communion
9:30am – #PompeySundays Eucharist
11:00am – Eucharist
5:45pm – Choral Evensong with Installation of the Archdeacon of Portsdown

Prayers & Intercessions

We pray for: Jo who is to be baptised on Sunday

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Paul, Ralph, Wynne, Saphie, Michael, Trudie, Pauline, Davina, Susan, Karen, Abbie, Carole, Ken, Nicky, baby Lily and baby Lottie.

We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Marion, Stuart, Jill, Suzy, Richard, Graeme, Alistair, Chris, Mathai, Philip and Spencer.

We remember those who have died recently, including: Maureen Smith and William Blake RIP.