Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark

Today was a day of celebration at Southwark Cathedral. Andrew Nunn was instituted and inducted as Rector of the Parish of St Saviour and All Hallows in the Diocese of Southwark. Seems quite normal, however with this post comes one of the most senior posts in the diocese. Following his institution and induction as Rector of the Parish, Andrew was installed as the Dean of Southwark.

Andrew has been in the diocese for many years, having been appointed Bishop’s Chaplain in 1994. In 1999 he was appointed Precentor and Sub-Dean (Vice-Provost as the post was called at the time). Following the sad death of ninth Dean of Southwark – Colin Slee – in late 2010, Andrew preached a moving sermon to the cathedral congregation the following Sunday (which I wrote about at the time).

Following a time for reflection, and the enthronement of +Christopher as the new Bishop of Southwark, the selection process for a new Dean progressed. On the 30 October 2010, Andrew Cameron, one of the Cathedral Wardens, made the announcement of the new Dean to the congregation at the end of Sunday service. He did not even get a chance to complete the name, before the congregation burst into spontaneous applause.

So onto today. The service of Institution, Induction and Installation took place as part of evensong. The service was sung by the Great Choir of Southwark Cathedral. The main procession had around 170 participants, having previously assembled in The Link on the north side of the building. The music for the service was:

• Introit Anthem – I was Glad (Parry)
• Versicles and Responses (Rose)
• Psalms 31 & 126
• Office Hymn – O Worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness
• Anthem – Ubi caritis (Duruflé)
• Hymn – How shall I sing that majesty
• Anthem – His eye is on the sparrow (S.A. Martin ) sung by the Choir of St Saviour’s and St Olave’s School
• Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Dyson in D)
• Anthem – All Wisdom cometh from the Lord (Philip Moore)
• Anthem – The Lamb (John Tavener)
• Hymn – Crown him with many crowns
• Anthem – THe Aaronic Blessing (John Rutter)

Immediately preceding the Taverner anthem was the new Dean preached the sermon. As today is the Feast of St Agnes, he took this Saint as his theme. In the past week Andrew has visited her shrine in Rome. At the end of the sermon he reflected on a poem by William Blake, which John Tavener has set to music, leading into the singing of the anthem.

After the service official photographs of Andrew were taken at the High Altar. With both the diocesian photographers, family and friends taking pictures.

Photocall after the service

The Holy Family @ St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral

Now in the second weekend of Epiphany 2012,and here we have a picture of the Holy Family at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow, since the beginning of Advent the crib scene has been developing, at Epiphany the Magi had arrived, but now everyone has gone and the family have fled into Egypt.

Turning back to The Feast of the Epiphany and the St Mary’s Crib scene:

The Magi visit Jesus

On the evening of the Feast of the Epiphany, Chuks Iwuagwu was ordained Priest by the +Gregor, Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway. Chuks has been part of the Cathedral team since late 2010 (see my posting on Chuks’ first sermon last February). To quote Provost Holdsworth, the service was celebrated with Change Ringing, Handel, Messiaen and African drumming (though not all at once).

Chuks Iwuagwu, newly ordained priest

• More pictures from Chuks’ Ordination

The following day, I was to be found at Southwark Cathedral for the Diocesan Servers’ Day. +Christopher, Bishop of Southwark presided and preached at the Southwark Diocesan Servers’ Festival Eucharist. In his sermon, he expressed his thanks for the work of Altar Servers.

In the afternoon, Festival Evensong concluded the day, with the service sung by The Saturday Singers, directed by Canon Pastor, Bruce Saunders. The Saturday Singers are a group of singers from the congregation of the Cathedral. The service music was:

• Versicles and Responses – William Byrd
• Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis – C.V. Stanford in C
• In the Bleak Mid Winter – Harold Darke

Sunday was celebrated as The Baptism of Christ. After the morning Eucharist at Southwark Cathedral, the congregations of Southwark Cathedral and St Magnus the Martyr (in the City of London) meet on London Bridge for the annual Blessing of the River. A slight hiccup meant that the processions were on opposite sides of the bridge. A crossing by the procession from St Magnus resulted in both congregations meeting on the west side of the bridge.

The congregation of St Magnus the Martyr crossing London Bridge

The service of blessing was presided over by the Succentor of Southwark Cathedral, Anna Macham and the Cardinal Rector of St Magnus the Martyr, Philip Warner.

John Osborne & Anna Macham (Southwark Cathedral) and Philip Warner (St Magnus the Martyr) at the centre of London Bridge

At the end of the service a wooden cross is thrown into The Thames.

Wooden cross enroute to The Thames

• More pictures from the 2012 Blessing of the River

Next weekend sees the Institution of Rev Andrew Nunn at the new Dean of Southwark.

2012 has started with bang, metrologically speaking.

Sunset of the Mull of Kintyre

New Year’s Day dawned still and overcast. An afternoon drive took us round the island anticlockwise to Blackwaterfoot. Having travelled up Glen Sannox, the road drops down through Chalmadale to Lochranza. We stopped briefly having seen some red deer on the side of dale. Leaving Lochranza the road regains the coast of the island, which we followed to Blackwaterfoot. Before head across the island to Brodick the opportunity was taken to photograph the sunset over the Mull of Kintyre.

• Photographs from Chalmadale and Arran Sunset on 1 January 2012

Breakers at Blackwaterfoot

The second of January dawned with the winds freshening. Returning to Blackwaterfoot for lunch, the sea to rougher than the previous day. Followed by a drive round the south of the island back to Brodick, include views of Ailsa Craig and Pladda.

• Photographs from Blackwaterfoot and South Arran on 2 January 2012

MV Caledonian Isles in the wind and hail of Brodick

The third was considerable windier. He had intended to leave the island, however the weather intervened confining the ferry to port all day.

• More pictures of the storm bound MV Caledonian Isles on 3 January 2012

Clouds and blue sky over a windy Goat Fell

By the afternoon the rain had eased off, if only temporarily. A break in the cloud meant that the sun was shine on Goat Fell.

• Photographs of Goat Fell and Brodick Bay on 3 January 2012

Dusk fell with the rain picking up again…………..

With 2011 drawing to an end, time for a reflection with some personal recollections from the year. Like 2010 the year started on the Isle of Arran, in the Firth of Clyde.

Looking over Brodick Bay to Goat Fell

Goat Fell did not have a much snow as twelve months earlier, and it was considerably warmer during our visit, with some rain.

January 2011

Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church, Paisley

The weather in January 2011 continued as 2010 had finished. A visit to the Thomas Coats Memorial Church in Paisley by RSCM Scottish Voices took place a foggy day.

• Blog on RSCM Scottish Voices Trip to Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church
• Smugmug collection on RSCM Scottish Voices Trip to Paisley
• January 2011 Blogs

February 2011

Rev Chuks Iwuagwu after his first Sermon

In February Rev Chuks Iwuagwu preached his first sermon, at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow. He is due to be admitted to the Order of Presbyters on the Feast of the Epiphany (6 Janaury) 2012.

• Blog on Chucks first Sermon
• February 2011 Blogs

March 2011

Aldeburgh Moot Hall

In March 2011, I spent two weeks on business in Suffolk. Before breakfast every morning, I took a walk along the shingle beach. On my last morning walk, I took this picture. The Aldeburgh Moot Hall was built in the 16th century as a meeting place for the people of Aldeburgh. It now serves as the town hall and museum.

• Smugmug images from Aldburgh in March 2011
• March 2011 Blogs

April 2011

Salzburg Gardens

I first visited Salzburg on November 1994, this return visit was in unseasonably warm weather, although we did encounter some rain during our visit.

• April 2011 Blogs

May 2011

Completed Garden Storage

During the gales in the middle of May, the felt was blown off the garden storage shed. As part of the replacement/repair strategy, new storage was bought and built. Subsequently, later in the year, the old storage was repair, including a new top and felt.

• Blog on the new Garden Storage
• May 2011 Blogs

June 2011

Meerkat at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Having purchased supporter membership of the Zoological Society of London, June presented the opportunity to visit Whipsnade Zoo for the first time.

• Blog on ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
• Smugmug Gallery from visit to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
• June 2011 Blogs

July 2011

Fishermans' Mass on Castlebay Pier with Fr John Paul Mackinnon

In July we visited the Outer Hebrides, starting in Lewis and working our way down through the islands. On the middle Sunday, we reached Castlebay on Barra, whilst the annual Fisherman’s Mass was underway. For those of you who have watched the series on BBC2 in early 2011, the film crew were out again, filming the 2012 series, due to start on 2 January 2012.

• Blogs from our Hebridean Hopscotch
• Images from our Hebridean Hopscotch
• July 2011 Blogs

August 2011

Sunset over the Afon Glaslyn

August heralded a regular trip to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway. The week was blessed with good weather and some spectacular sunsets. The one here was the best from the evenings when I had a camera to hand.

• August 2011 Blogs

September 2011

L. Bound Funeral Services (Matlock St John Ambulance)

In September we took a weekend break to the Peak District. Whilst there we took in visits to Chatworth House, Monsal Head, Peak Rail, Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and the Crich Tramway Museum. Whilst there we spent an evening in Matlock Bath to see the illuminations and fireworks.

• Blogs of our break in the Peak District
• Images of our break in the Peak District
• September 2011 Blogs

October 2011

Tower 40 of Whitelee Windfarm

Wind power has been in the news of late, from plans to build more and more, and the spectacular sight of one near Ardrossan bursting into flames. In October I visited the largest complex in Europe – Whitelee Windfarm, which is being extended on Eaglesham Moor south of Glasgow.

• Blog on Whitelee Windfarm
• Pictures from the vist to Whitelee Windfarm
• October 2011 Blogs

November 2011

Eastern platform at Aldwych tube station

Aldwych tube station on the corner of The Strand and Surrey Street closed in 1994, mainly due to the requirement to overhaul the lifts. A lightly used station at the end of a branch line off the Piccadilly Line from Holborn, it was destined for greater things, which never materialise. at the end of November the opportunity to available to visit it including the eastern platform which has not seen a train since 1914.

• Pictures of the visit to Aldwych tube station
• November 2011 Blogs

December 2011

Stars hanging in the Tower Space of Southwark Cathedral

As 2011 drew to a close, Christmas was celebrated at Southwark Cathedral. During the offertry of Midnight Mass, the spotlights were turned on illuminating the stars hanging from the Tower Space.

• Christmas Day 2011 at Southwark Cathedral
• December 2011 Blogs

MV Caledonian Isles after an afternoon arrival at Brodick on Hogmany 2011

The year ended as it began on the Isle of Arran.

Archway Bridge from the north

Driving into London down the Archway Road, part of the A1, the road passes through a deep cutting. This is as a result of Thomas Telford’s original tunnel collapsing. Hornsey Lane passed across the tunnel, and to maintain the right of way, the original Archway Bridge was constructed in 1813. Between 1897 and 1900 the current cast iron bridge was constructed. This bridge features ornamental lamp standards at the ends and in the middle.

Having driven under the bridge on Christmas day on my way to Southwark I was determined to investigate the bridge further. In the north side is the three cutlasses of the Middlesex County Council, denoting the on-time council boundary. The bridge is now the boundary between Harringay and Islington Councils.

As one of the highest points in London, the bridge provides a vista on the skyline of the City of London.

London skyline from Archway Bridge

• My pictures of, and from, Archway Bridge
• Wikipedia on Archway (Hornsey Lane) bridge

Yea, Amen! let all adore Thee, High on Thine eternal throne; Saviour, take the power and glory, Claim the kingdom for Thine own; O come quickly! Everlasting God, come down!

As a conclusion to this series of blogs, the final verse of Charles Wesley’s great advent hymn – Lo Lo! He comes with clouds descending – which tells of the coming of Jesus. The waiting is over.

2011 Christmas Tree at Southwark Cathedral

In the 18th century, John Francis Wade penned what is now a well known Christmas Hymn – Adete Fideles, otherwise know as O Come, all ye faithful, the final verse of which (should) only gets sung on Christmas Day.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesu, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing.
Venite, adoremus Dominum.

Have a joyous and peaceful Christmas.

Do not forget to visit Beth’s Blog for her writings about Christmas Day.

A change of pace this evening, with a trip to the Prince of Wales theatre to see Mamma Mia.

Based around the music of ABBA, this is a story of love on a Greek Island written by Catherine Johnson. It originally opened in the Prince Edward Theatre, being transferred to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004.

As well as having watched the DVD of the film (which has a slightly different storyline, although the same basis plot), this was the third time I have seen the show.

As an audience watcher, it was of note that although tickets had been hard to get due to being the Friday before Christmas, there were quite a few empty seat in the Dress Circle were we seated (about 85% full). Also most appeared to have been about my age, having been teenagers in the 1970s and early 1980s.

As expected, the show did not disappoint, with competent performances from all the principals. The music of ABBA that is real star of this show, and it is not just the blockbusters, but also the ballads with thoughtful lyrics. The finale gives the audience a chance to let their hair down, and embarrass their teenage companions in the process.

Will I go for a fourth time – it is quite likely.

Wikipedia entry on Mamma Mia

North Aisle of Southwark Cathedral

In contrast to last year, when I attended the Nine Lessons and Carol service at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow, this year I attended the Service of Lessons and Carols at Southwark Cathedral. Arriving about 45 minutes before the service, the Nave and Side Aisles were full. We sat in the North Transept, where although the choir could not be seen, there is a good balance between organ and the vocals. Two years ago, we were in the South Transept, where the organ is located and dominates the aural effect. By the time the service started, the Retrochoir was full, and the space in the chancel not being used by the choir was also taken. I am told that this represents around 1,700 people.

Introduced by Acting Dean, Rev Canon Andrew Nunn, the service followed the traditional Carol Service format of lessons and carols, but only seven lessons.

• Music before the service – Rhapsodie sur des noels (Gigout)
• Once in Royal David’s City (descant by David Willcocks)
• Bidding Prayer led by Rev Canon Andrew Nunn, Acting Dean
• Choir – Ding Dong Merrily on High (arr. Charles Wood)
• First Lesson – Genesis 3. 8-15 – in which God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise
• Come, thou long expected Jesus
• Second Lesson – Isaiah 9. 2, 6-7 – in which the prophet foretells the coming of the Saviour
• Choir – Adam lay y-bounden (Boris Ord)
• Third Lesson – Micah 5. 2-4 – The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem
• O Little Town of Bethlehem (descant by David Willcocks)
• Choir – The Holly and the Ivy (Matthew Owens)
• Fourth Lesson – Luke 1, 26-38 – The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Choir – The Angel Gabriel (arr Edgar Petman)
• Choir – The virgin’s slumber song (Max Reger)
• Away in a manger
• Fifth Lesson – Matthew 1.18-23 – in which Joseph is told of the annunciation
• Choir – Candlelight Carol (John Rutter)
• Sixth Lesson – Luke 2. 8-16 – The shepherds go to the manger
• The First Nowell
• Choir – Illuminare Jerusalem (Judith Weir)
• Choir – Silent Night (arr. Bob Chilcott)
• Seventh Lesson – John 1. 1-14 – in which the mystery of the Incarnation is unfolded
• Choir – A babe is born (William Mathais)
• Hark! the herald angels sing (descant by David Willcocks)
• Prayer and Blessing from +Christopher, Bishop of Southwark
• O Come all ye faithful (descant by David Willcocks)
• Music after the service – Carillon Sortie (Mulet)

A wide selection of music, with something for everyone. Not to sure about one or two selections, specifically Illuminare Jerusalem by Judith Weir, as I did not feel is was appropriate for this type of “mass appeal” carol service.

Finally, I return to Glasgow. It was unfortunate that I was not able to attend the Nine Lessons and Carol service at St Mary’s Cathedral this year. There has been several blogs about it already. On Wednesday morning, it was mentioned on Radio Scotland’s Thought for the Day given by Dr Amanullah De Sondy. He had been invited to present a Qur’an reading as part of the the Carol Service, which gave the Islamic perspective on Jesus being born to Mary. Kevin reports back on the service in his blog. Being located in the West End of Glasgow, St Mary’s Cathedral is in the middle of a multi-cultural and multi-faith area, and Provost Kelvin Holdsworth’s invitation to Dr De Sondy reflects this.

Second Christmas Concert of the week and this time at Southwark Cathedral.

Traditionally, this concert featured The Messiah in the first half. This year was different, mainly due to the members of the boys and girls choirs had participated in a concert in the Royal Albert Hall earlier in the month, conducted by (Mr Christmas Music) John Rutter.

After a welcome from Canon Andrew Nunn (the Dean designate), the concert started with an audience carol – O Come, all ye faithful. Director of Music, Peter Wright, then conducted the Boys and Men in Ding, dong, Merrily on High, followed by Assistant Organist Stephen Disley with the Girls and Men for The Holly and the Ivy. Then came the first organ piece, played by Jonathon Hope, the cathedral Organ Scholar.

We then treated to the first of the pieces that had been previously performed at the Royal Albert Hall. Starting in the Retrochoir, and walking to the tower space the Girls and Boys slowly walked to the tower space singing Hodie Christus natus est (Benjamin Britten) unaccompanied, and apart from the start, without a conductor. It showed the talent and musical awareness of these young singers to accompish this excellent piece of singing. This work was paired with the composer’s Wolcom yole, which again used the young voices to showcase this work of Britten.

After Alleluja! Freuet euch (Andreas Hammerschmidt) and Mary’s cradle song (Max Reger), it was time for another audience carol, accompanied by the Southwark Organ – The First Nowell, arranged by another modern composer associated with Christmas, David Willcocks.

The organ was put through its paces on the next choral piece I was Glad by C.H. Hubert Parry, including the rarely performed Vitat Regina section. Continuing the mini theme of pieces from last April’s Royal Wedding, the John Rutter commission for the wedding This is the day followed. Even after listening to again, this time performed by the Southwark choir, I am still not convinced this is a particularly good example of John Rutter’s work.

Another organ piece from Jonathon, led to three pieces from The Messiah, And the Glory of the Lord, O thou that tellest and Hallelujah Chorus, which Peter invited us to join in.

At the interval, the audience were invited into the marquee erected in the Millennium courtyard to mince pies and drinks. The latest choir CD – A Year at Southwark – was on sale in The Link for concert-goers.

A shorter second half started with O Little Town of Bethlehem, before a rendition of Harold Darke’s arrangement of In the Bleak Mid Winter. In contrast with the performance on Sunday evening by the City of Glasgow Chorus, verse three was sung a a Tenor solo.

More Christmas music by John Rutter, variously sung by the Girls & Men, Boys & Men, and the Royal Albert Hall Girls and Boys, conducted by Peter and Stephen Candlelight Carol, The colours of Christmas and Shepherds’ pipe carol. Peter recalled that when he was at school, he sung one of the first performances of the latter piece, having attended the same school as John Rutter.

A final organ work from Jonathon, Noel etranger from Louis Daquin, led to the final section of the concert. For John Rutter’s arrangement of Twelve Days of Christmas, Peter encouraged audience participation, however he was not as ambitious at Graham Taylor had been in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, with the audience remaining seated and everyone singing from “Five Gold Rings”. A final piece of Rutter I wish you Christmas, led to the audience singing of Wesley’s hymn to the music of Mendelssohn, Hark! the Herald Angels sing, to the now familar arrangement including David Willcocks’ descant.

At what is a busy time of new, with concerts and additional services, the choir performed admirably under the direction of Peter and Stephen, with Stephen and Jonathon accompanying on the piano and organ. Even more so when it is considered that Southwark Cathedral does not have a choir school, and the girls and boys of the choir are drawn from the local schools.

• Southwark Cathedral Web Site
• More from the week before Christmas 2011

Sunday evening and a trip to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for a concert. The Christmas Cracker was presented by The City of Glasgow Chorus and The Orchestra of Scottish Opera.

Introduced and conducted by Graham Taylor, programme was a varied mixed of seasonal and other music.

The first half started with A Christmas Fantasy by Gordon Langford, and In the Bleak Midwinter by Harold Darke. Darke caught my attention for two reasons, firstly was verses one and three were sung by the sopranos as opposed to the usual solo voices. The unaccompanied singing was precise, however my attention was distracted by one of the first violin players fidgeting, whilst his colleagues around him we still.

Next came two choral pieces by Mr Christmas Carol – John Rutter. His Angel Carol and Jesus Child. The audience were given their first chance to sing with Hark! the Herald Angels Sing complete with the David Willcocks descant.

Interspersed through the concert, Graham Taylor (founder of the City of Glasgow Chorus), introduced the items, with a few anecdotes (well corny jokes). The first half finished with Leroy Anderson’s Christmas Festival.

During the interval, Christmas Crackers were distributed. After the first two pieces of the second half Charles Williams’ Girls in Grey and Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, it was cracker pulling time.

After the Star Wars theme by John Williams, there was a medley of pieces from films by the recently deceased John Barry, including Out of Africa, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Goldfinger. Not my favourite part of the concert. The choral work from Out of Africa did not really enthuse me.

Turning to another John Rutter christmas work – his arrangement of The Twelve Days of Christmas, Graham split the audience into five sections and got use to each stand and sing a bit of the carol is it came round, from Five Gold Rings to the end. Much hilarity resulted. Then my favourite (non-christmas) part of the concert. A medley of Abba songs from Mamma Mia. (More of this show later in the week). White Christmas by Irving Berlin, from Holiday Inn, led into the Christmas sing-along, including Let it Snow, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and I Wish It Could be Christmas Everyday.

All in all it was an enjoyable concert, both Choir and Orchestra performed the pieces well. As for the jokes from Graham Taylor, well I do not think there is a career in comedy waiting for him. There was something for everyone.

• City of Glasgow Chorus Web Site
• More from Concerts by the City of Glasgow Chorus
• More from the week before Christmas 2011

Postscript – Thanks are due to City of Glasgow Chorus member Beth for drawing my attention to the concert, and selling me the ticket.