WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 53, 4 March 1939, Page 14

WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL

Work of the Friends

The Society of Friends of Winchester Cathedral was founded six years ago, on the day of the patron saint of the diocese, the famous St. Swithin, whcin legend credits with lhe control of the rainfall in the South of England. Th? association has now more than I,'2o'J members, ami a considerable amount of good work to its credit. The cathedral is not only one of the noblest buildings in England; it is also one of the largest churches in the country, and as such it is expensive to maintain. Forty years ago considerable repairs were necessary in the nave, and ten years later the whole of the foundations had to be excavated and restored at a cost of £ll2OO9 —a work which necessitated the employment of divers as well as engineers, as there was a large accumulation of water from underground streams beneath the main fabric. .Since then fabric repairs have cost normally between £l,‘_’OO and £ 1.500 a jcar. But other matters have arisen which demand attention, such as the heating and lighting of the cathedral the cleaning and restoration of the organ, and the repair of the bells. The Friends have contributed gener ously from their available funds te these needs. Electric light is now i stalled in the choir, lhe tower, the transepts, and the library. A grant L being made towards the new peal n( bells, which wore dedicated at a spccia service. In addition, work has been done or the roof of the transepts which ha< been attacked by that, almost übiqui tons pest, the death-watch beetle; am lhe old monks’ garden, known as th< Paradise, has been turfed and plantewith spring flowers and flowering shrubs— a real addition lo the heantv of the peaceful close which has sem so much of English history pass lik' the pageant of a dream since the da\

w.'cn "Winchester was Alfred's capital city. Hero Edward the Confessor was crowned, and Richard Coeur de Lion came for that second Coronation which was held to be necessary when he returned from the Crusndes, as proof that lie had not signed his kingdom away for lansom in captivity. Here. Canute and Rufus sleep their last sleep beside Egbert, lirst king of a l England, and dher Saxon Kings. Here, too, the unfortunate Mary was married to cold I’hilip of Spain by Gardiner—and the stalwart Gardiner himself rests near to William of Wykeham arid other famous occupants of the see. .Nowhere, save at Canterbury and Westminster, has so m i<di of English history been transacted in so e-niall a space. Winchester is not unmindful of its past, when the full tnde of life surged through its narrow streets and its bishops were statesmen and chantellori r.nd diplomats as well a« chutchiueu. To-day the splendour and the wealth of th<; episcopal see have gone, nnd Hi »ugh the memories remain there r-rn-ue than a litll c difficulty in main taining the shrine and the choccsc, and the summer tourist? who call in on their way from South* anipton and ihe se\en s< a - to Lox d i The problem has become more rat her t han less, acute during ihe pa t ivw months. Prices of materials and labour are rising, and one unfortunate result of lhe recent tithe legislation as that ct deprives the cathedrdal of some £ I 10 a. yea i ■ a serious and perm < ih'ji i. drop of income. For that reast alone, apart from any considerations ol safety or Ihe Inauty of this hallowe i nnd historic spirit, the friends of Winchester Uathrdial are anxious tn increase their numbers and their help :o what ihe- rightly regard as a sacred national trust.