THE CATHEDRAL THANKS LOCAL FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Tovey Bros, Funeral Directors, started business in 1860. For their 150th anniversary they published a book about the history of their company. As part of the 1860 appeal, companies and individuals were invited to give £18.60 to have their name included. The money raised by the appeal has been given to three of Newport's iconic structures: the Transporter Bridge, Tredegar House, and the Cathedral.
James Tovey came along to a meeting of the Cathedral Advisory Group and presented the cheque to Mr John Child, Chairman of the Cathedral's Restoration Appeal, watched by Revd Lister Tonge, Dean-designate of the Cathedral.
THE DEAN OF MONMOUTH
On Friday 13th January 2012 The Bishop of Monmouth announced the appointment of The Revd Lister Tonge as the new Dean of Monmouth.
Fr Lister is currently based in Oxford where he is chaplain to the Community of St John the Baptist and where he has been chaplain and tutor at Cuddesdon Theological College and interim chaplain at New College and Exeter College, Oxford. He trained for the priesthood at King's College, London and at St Augustine's College, Canterbury.
Fr Lister will be installed in Newport Cathedral at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday 31st March, the day before Palm Sunday.
THE FITZHARDINGE CONSORT TO PLAY IN THE CATHEDRAL
The Fitzhardinge Consort will give a free concert of music for Lent and Passiontide on Tuesday 28th February at 7.30 p.m.
There will be a retiring collection
CATHEDRAL ROOF OLDER THAN WAS THOUGHT
Surveyors from The Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales have discovered that the roof of Newport Cathedral is older than previously thought.
Using the scaffolding in place for the roof repairs, staff from the Commission were able to calculate that the wood used in the roof of the Cathedral Nave was from trees felled between 1402 -32 AD. making it potentially less than 10 years younger than the oldest roof in the Kingdom - the roof of Westminster Hall.
(PHOTO: South Wales Argus)
Cathedral Architect, Michael Davies, said "Tree ring dating of ancient timbers is proving extremely valuable in our conservation work, providing very detailed and accurate information that we often cannot obtain from documentary evidence alone. This highlights the significance of this building, which already displays some very fine architectural features from the Norman period. It’s another piece in the jigsaw, that helps us understand the many layers of history at the cathedral."
Thanks to the delicate and detailed restoration of a large section of the roof which was completed in December, most of the original timbers from the early 1400's were retained.
The new roof in all is glory
THE GIRLS BRIGADE
The Girls' Brigade has been established at the Cathedral for many years.
Meetings are held in the Cathedral Hall on Tuesdays between 6.00 and 7.30, with a varied programme of games, Bible stories and crafts. Ages range from 4 to 18 years.
Contact Sue Smith on 01633 272771 for more details
100 CLUB
Two of the Cathedral Welcomers, Steven and Susan Cocks, run a charity called Pula Children’s Trust, which improves the lives of children. They are starting a 100 Club to raise funds for both their charity and the Cathedral.
For those unfamiliar with them clubs like this work in the following way. A number of people, at least 25, undertake to buy one or more numbers regularly each month at £2.00 per number/month. Payment will preferably be by standing order, or by cheque.
Each month a draw is made, in this case overseen by our clergy, and cash prizes are given which amount to half the sum collected each month. The other half will be divided between the Pula Trust and the Cathedral.
Steven and Susan have undertaken to provide information about the projects supported by the Pula Trust.
Application forms are available in the Galilee Chapel, and further details can be obtained from Brian Cox.
CATHEDRAL WELCOMERS
There is still a need to recruit additional members to the team of Welcomers. If you are able to spare up to two hours occasionally or even better on a regular basis, please call Brian Cox in the Cathedral Administrator's Office, 01633 212077.