Truro cathedral

Cathedral News

Surplus is good news for Cathedral

The accounts for 2007 have been finalised - and it's good news for the Cathedral as a run of deficits have been turned around - leading to a surplus of £12,500 last year.

Appointment of Fundraising Officer

The post of Fundraising Officer is new and arises from the Cathedral’s need to launch an Appeal and Fundraising Campaign to restore the Central Tower and undertake other associated capital projects.  The post is available from the beginning of July 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter.   The post will be offered on a Fixed Term Contract initially to 31st December 2009.

Eucharist for the Day of Pentecost

Sunday 11th May at 10am (Cathedral opens at 9am. All seated by 9.30am.)
Join us as we celebrate Pentecost, which will be broadcast live on BBC1. It is the day when we remember the giving of the Holy Spirit to Jesus' Apostles after his death and resurrection. This gift continues to inspire all who follow Christ to proclaim and live Jesus' good news of God's love for all.

This is a ticketed Service. To apply for 'free' tickets please send an SAE marked 'Pentecost' to Truro Cathedral Office, 14 St Mary's St, Truro TR! 2AF, by Friday 2nd May.

For more information please contact 01872 276782

Cathedral Newsletter April / May

In this edition:
* News from the Cathedral
* The Friends of Truro Cathedral
* Archbishop Rowan Williams
* Diocesan Synod at Truro Cathedral

Songs of Praise coming to the Cathedral

The ever popular BBC1 religious flagship programme Songs of Praise, now in its 47th year, is coming to Cornwall in May. Ticket Application forms for the general public are now available.

With Bishop Bill through Holy Week and Easter

Bishop Bill Ind, Bishop of Truro, gave his final sermon at Truro Cathedral on Easter Day. He retires after ten years service as the Bishop in Cornwall. During Holy Week and Easter he gave a series of linked reflections and sermons which we have published as a booklet. To download your copy see below.

New Director of Music Appointed for September

The Chapter of Truro Cathedral is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Christopher Gray as the Cathedral's new Director of Music. Chris will take over from Robert Sharpe in September 2008.

"We are very keen that there should be a strong sense of continuity for the Choir and the Cathedral's musical life, and consider that in Christopher we have a person of outstanding ability and proven experience who can build on our past and present achievements." Dean Christopher Hardwick

Lights Out at the Cathedral

It’ll be difficult to see Truro Cathedral during the night of Wednesday 27th and early morning of Thursday 28th February, as the floodlights that usually illuminate the towers and spires are switched off as part of Energy Saving Day.

" Canon Missioner Philip Lambert said, “We are supporting this initiative because we believe everyone has a responsibilty towards reducing our over-consumption of the God given resources of this planet. This is not just for our own sake, but for that of our children and for the sake of all the creatures and plants which share the earth with us.At the moment the Cathedral floodlights are on all night but for Energy Saving Day they will be turned offas a part of a national urgent wake up calltoremind us to reduce energy consumption now. The Cathedral floodlights provide visitors and residents of Truro with a comforting and inspiring sight. The lit spires pierce the gloom of night, giving hope and brightening our lives. We willcontinue toilluminate the Cathedral at night, but need to investigate ways in which we can reduce our overall energy consumption.”

Shop Supervisor required

Required immediately as a Shop Supervisor to assist the Shop Manager and Assistant Manager with the smooth daily operation of the Cathedral Shop.  To help maximise sales whilst ensuring that customer needs are met and exceeded.

The closing date for Application Form is 12 noon on Friday 7th March 2008. 

Director of Music moving on

Robert Sharpe, Director of Music and Organist at Truro Cathedral has been appointed as Director of Music at York Minster. He was appointed from a talented shortlist and will take up his appointment next summer.

Robert Sharpe said, “Although I am very excited about becoming part of the Minster community, I shall very much miss the cathedral here in Cornwall, especially all the friends I have made.  This is a great opportunity to work with organist John Scott Whiteley as well as having the privilege of succeeding Philip Moore whose music I greatly admire.”

Cathedral receives grant from English Heritage

Truro Cathedral has been awarded a £30,000 grant from English Heritage as part of a major on-going restoration project. The grant will be used to fund a photogrammetric survey of the central Victoria Tower and spire. It is hoped that the work will be carried out before Easter.

Amazing Film to raise funds for the Cathedral

The Friends of Truro Cathedral have secured the largest screen at the Truro Plaza Cinema at 8pm on the 26th February for the special charity screening of the film ‘Amazing Grace’ starring Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon and Rufus Sewell. This unusual opportunity has arisen thanks to the generosity of Mr David Williams, Director of WTW Cinemas who has donated the use of the cinema free of charge. Further generosity has been shown by Momentum Pictures, the UK’s leading independent film distributor, who have also very kindly waived any fees. Tickets are £10 and available from Mrs Evans on 01872 271330.

Jobs at Truro Cathedral

Truro Cathedral has a number of Job Vacancies at the moment .

Please click on the job opportunity below to download the relevant Application Pack

The Benson Lecture DVD 2007

The DVD is now available from the Cathedral Office 14 St Mary's Street, TRURO, TR1 2AF Please send a suggested donation of £5 and stamps to the value of £1.

The Bible In Advent

Do you want to read the Bible but don't know where to start? Do you want to prepare and pray through the Bibilical readings we use?

Then this Advent why not begin using Truro Cathedral's own scheme of readings?

It contains a helpful introduction including the reason for the colours, feasts and festivals as well as all the daily portion of scripture we use.

They are available from the Cathedral Office for a suggested donation of only £5.

General Office Assistant required

The General Office functions at the heart of the Cathedral Office.  The welcome and help that visitors receive when entering the office can have an overall effect on their perception of the Cathedral and all it stands for.  The work that is undertaken in the Cathedral Office underpins and supports all that happens in the Cathedral and it is important that this work is carried out in a professional and competent manner. We are looking for a self-motivated and experienced general office assistants with a high level of computer literacy; excellent organisation and administrative skills, time-management skills, and the ability to prioritise multiple tasks and competing deadlines.

Closing date for applications: 5pm Thursday 29 November 2007

Animal rights theologian to give Benson lecture

Revd Professor Linzey will be giving the Annual Benson lecture for 2007. A world authority on Christian thinking in this area he will be giving a theological perspective and spelling out some logical conclusions to his thinking.

"Animals have rights because their Creator has rights to see what is created is treated with respect."

Isles of Scilly children have a night to remember at the Cathedral

Children from the Five Islands School on the Isles of Scilly have just taken part in a major concert at Truro Cathedral.

The concert last Thursday evening involved 180 children from five choirs: the Five Island's Junior choir, Archbishop Benson Primary Schol (year 5), Pencoys Junior School Choir, Cornwall Junior Choir and Truro Cathedral's own boy Choristers.

Cathedral Choir to perform live on BBC Radio 3

Truro Cathedral Choir have been given the tremendous privilege of performing live on BBC Radio 3. They will sing Choral Evensong on Sunday 21 October at 4pm in the Cathedral.

Truro Cathedral Chapter confirm restructuring of the restaurant

The Cathedral Chapter met on Friday 12 October 2007. they noted with regret that a misunderstanding with the media had occurred in relation to the future plans for the Cathedral Restaurant.

PA to The Dean and Chief Executive

A unique opportunity to join the staff of Truro Cathedral in a role providing a first class confidential and professional support service to the Dean and Chief Executive.

For further information and an applicaton pack please contact the Cathedral Office on 01872 276782 or you can download the application pack below:

Cathedral at centre of £2 million government initiative

Truro Cathedral's pioneering work encouraging singing in Cornwall's primary schools has paid off. The DCSF (formerly the DfES)has followed the cathedral's outreach scheme with great interest and, on the basis of its success, has made nearly £2 million available for up to 35 cathedrals and other music foundations to run similar schemes.

Cornwall Junior Choir welcomes the Five Islands Choir from the Isles of Scilly for return concert

Cornwall Junior Choir the music outreach scheme run by Truro Cathedral and the Cornwall Music Service have a return concert on Thursday 11 October in the Cathedral.

Truro Cathedral to re-deploy restaurant volunteers

Truro Cathedral Restaurant is to re-structure its staffing with the current volunteer roles disappearing. The personnel will be re-deployed within other areas of the Cathedral's ministry.

Let the Memory of Diana transform

Nearly 500 people packed Truro Cathedral on Friday night to remember the 'People's Princess', Diana, Princess of Wales, in a specially designed service to mark the 10th anniversary of her death.

People from all over Cornwall came together to share in an emotionally charged and moving service to remember Diana ten years after her death.

Princess Diana Commemoration Service at Truro Cathedral

Truro Cathedral will be holding a special commemoration service for Diana, Princess of Wales, on Friday 31st August 2007 at 7.30pm.

The service will remember the ‘People’s Princess’ ten years after her tragic death in Paris in 1997. The candlelit service will involve music, prayer and readings including the song, English Rose, written by Sir Elton John to the music of ‘Candle in the Wind’.

Because of the expected demand for this service 900 tickets have been made available on a first come first served basis.

To obtain your free tickets to this service please send a SAE marked ‘Diana – A Time to Remember’, to either:

• The Cathedral Office 14 St Mary’s Street, TRURO, TR1 2AF or phone 01872 276782.
• The West Briton, Harmsworth House, City Wharf, Malpas, TRURO, TR1 1QH

New Chief Executive starts work at Truro Cathedral

Mr Neil Parsons has joined the staff at Truro Cathedral as its new Chief Executive.

Neil is looking forward to his new job as Chief Executive, "I am delighted to have arrived in Truro and taken up post. I have received a tremendous welcome from the Dean and members of the Cathedral community. There is much excellent work being done at the Cathedral and I look forward to playing a full part in all aspects of the Cathedral's life."

Elvis 30th anniversary service fully booked!

With two weeks still to go before the 'Elvis Lives' anniversary service at Truro Cathedral, all tickets for the service (19 August) have been distributed.

The seating capacity at Truro Cathedral is 900 and these free tickets have all now been distributed. It is entry by ticket only and there will be no tickets available on the door. The service features the Cornish Elvis tribute artist,Johnny Cowling, and will contain a mixture of Elvis Presley's gospel music, and some prayers and readings.

Because of unprecedented demand it is likely that we will do another service in August 2008.

Truro Cathedral Choir Summer Gala Concert

Music lovers are in for a real treat on Wednesday 11th July when the Choir of Truro Cathedral perform a thrilling programme of beautiful choral music. The programme includes works by Michael Tippet, William Byrd, Patrick Gowers, William Walton and Herbert Howells as well as a Cornish piece, 'Pader an Arleth' by local composer and school teacher, Russell Pascoe.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to hear one of the best cathedral choirs in the country. The programme includes a number of 'classics' and nicely rounds off the year's work."
Robert Sharpe, Director of Music .

St Mewan to play fundraiser for Cathedral

St Mewan Sinfonia are Cornwall's premier string orchestra. Their concert programme features both Bach's Fantasia and Fugue in G minor and the Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. Works from other composers include Handel,Vivaldi,Schumann, Elgar, Legrenzi and Sibelius.

Souvenir Book Exhibition

The Exhibition, called ‘Reflections’, highlights the prominence of the images in the new Souvenir book which boasts three double page image spreads and nineteen single page image spreads in a 48 page publication. The images reflect both the inside and outside of the Cathedral; its architecture, stained glass, monuments and people.

We have been able to include far more information in the Souvenir Book than we could ever have done at the back of a guide book; it’s a real insight into the life and work of the Cathedral”.

Carbon Footprint

Truro Cathedral is probably the biggest building in Cornwall, and it's about to get its carbon footprint measured. Nick Osmaston from the Carbon Trust is coming to the Cathedral on Wednesday 13 June at 10am to undertake a survey that will help the Cathedral to identify its Carbon footprint.

Four new bells for the Cathedral

A major project at Truro Cathedral has been given the green light.at a meeting this morning. The bell ringers would like to celebrate the centenary of the dedication of the bells, in 2010, by adding four new bells to the existing set to give a ring of twelve. The bell ringers themselves have pledged to raise the necessary funds. Robert Perry, Master of the Ringers, is delighted by this development

"This is a very exciting project which will give Cornwall its first peal of twelve and will enable us to ring a greater variety of sequences. It will also be a major draw for other ringers, both within Cornwall and from further afield."

Elvis returns! It's official

Johnny Cowling, Elvis tribute artist, is back by popular demand at Truro Cathedral for another performance of Elvis Presley's gospel music on Sunday 19 August at 6.30pm.

It is 30 years since Elvis's death in August 1977, and our 'Elvis Lives' service celebrates the gospel music and inspiration that is Elvis Presley. Last year the 'His Hand In Mine' Elvis service attracted over 900 people for a mixture of gospel music, readings and prayers and formed part of the Cathedral's ongoing exploration of different styles of worship. It is part of a programme that has seen both Jazz and Country & Western style worship take place in Truro Cathedral.

New Chief Executive announced

Neil Parsons, presently Bursar at Salisbury Cathedral Choir School, has formally agreed to take on the role of Chief Executive at Truro Cathedral. Neil, who will take up the position later in the summer, is excited by this new challenge,

"I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed Chief Executive of Truro Cathedral.  I join the Cathedral at an exciting, yet challenging time.  I very much look forward to working closely with the Dean and members of the Cathedral Chapter as we embark on a period of strategic planning to realise the vision, aims and role of Truro Cathedral in the twenty first century”

Two General Office Assistants required

The General Office functions at the heart of the Cathedral Office.  The welcome and help that visitors receive when entering the office can have an overall effect on their perception of the Cathedral and all it stands for.  The work that is undertaken in the Cathedral Office underpins and supports all that happens in the Cathedral and it is important that this work is carried out in a professional and competent manner. We are looking for two self-motivated and experienced general office assistants with a high level of computer literacy; excellent organisation and administrative skills, time-management skills, and the ability to prioritise multiple tasks and competing deadlines.

Deadline 5pm Wed 28 March 2007

Chief Executive post advertised

Today the quest for a new Chief Executive has begun with adverts placed in the national press. This position is a demanding and multi-faceted role leading the Cathedral Executive in responding to the challenges and opportunities facing the Cathedral.  It requires vision, commitment, and excellent communication skills to deliver strategic outcomes, strong financial management, pursue collaborative relationships, realise sponsorship and funding opportunities, and develop the skills of others.

The deadline for applications is Monday 12 February 2007

The Job Application Pack can be downloaded below.