Support
Friends Open Days were held at the Cathedral on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th September.
Friday is ‘Explore and Draw’ for the four Llandaff primary schools. Although many of the children will have been to the Cathedral for services, not many of them may have had the opportunity to have a good look around.
There were delighted comments of ‘Can we go anywhere we like?’ as children walked around, sat in the choir stalls, looked under the Majestas, studied windows, monuments and artworks in the aisles and then drew their own pictures of what interested them most. Teachers tell us the children really enjoy these sessions and look forward to bringing different classes next year.
Rain on Saturday can mean numbers are hard to predict, but there was a good turn out for all the events, Organ talk and demonstration, archives, Bell Tower tours and the Friends guided tour. It was very helpful to have light refreshments in the Prebendal House, provided by Howell’s School, one of our corporate members, as it made all the difference as people stayed for more than one of the events.
We are grateful to the Music Department, Archivist and Bellringers for once again collaborating on this event, part of European Heritage/Cadw Open Doors.
Friends of Salisbury Cathedral
A group of Friends from Salisbury came to Llandaff on Friday 7th July and were welcomed by Friends’ Chair Linda Quinn before a guided tour led by the Cathedral Archivist.
They were in South Wales for four days, also visiting Cardiff Castle, Insole Court, Tredegar House and Tintern Abbey.
2023 Annual Friends Festival
The three day festival began as Friends gathered for the annual lunch at The Maltsters, Llandaff on Friday 12th May. On Saturday 13th, the AGM was followed by an intriguing lecture entitled ‘A life in Crime‘ delivered by Mr Gerard Elias C.B.E., K.C., and Friend. Many of us remembered some of the South Wales crimes he recalled and it was very entertaining.
Choral Evensong followed, including the presentation of the Friends Chorister Awards, this year to Gwenan and Austin. The Festival concluded on Sunday 14th May with the Festal Eucharist. Friends read at both these services.
