Hurry — last chance to see the Herkenrode Glass in Lichfield Cathedral!

At the end of July the glorious East End of Lichfield Cathedral will be boarded up in preparation for the removal of the internationally important sixteenth century Herkenrode glass to renovation workshops, and the restoration of masonry which surrounds and supports it. The medieval pinnacles and buttresses are so weathered that the failure of any one buttress could lead to a catastrophic collapse of the wall and roof and the shattering of the glass.

The work will take five years and cost an estimated £800,000 to complete. So plan your visits now – see the windows in place for the next few weeks, watch the work on carving and replacing of masonry on site over the next five years and keep an eye out for the completion of the restoration project in 2014.

STAFFORDSHIRE LANDSCAPES - An exhibition of paintings by R N Clarke at Lichfield Cathedral 3- 17 September 2009

An exhibition of paintings made by R N Clarke showing Staffordshire Landscapes takes place in Lichfield Cathedral 3–17 September. The paintings will be on display during Cathedral opening hours (weekdays 7.30am until 6.15pm, Saturdays 8am until 6.15pm and Sunday 7.30am until 6.30pm). Entrance to the Cathedral is free of charge but donations are welcome.

The October 2004 Series - Prints, Paintings and Collages - an ArtReach exhibition at Lichfield Cathedral by Steve Simpson

On a small scale but a big impact...

Lichfield Cathedral will be the venue in June for artist Steve Simpson and a display of his digitally generated images, paintings, collages and reliefs. This ArtReach exhibition will run from the 4–14 June and will be on display during Cathedral opening hours (weekdays 7.30am until 6.15pm, Saturdays 8am until 6.15pm and Sunday 7.30am until 6.30pm). Entrance to the Cathedral is free of charge but donations are welcome.

Singers wanted for Come and Sing The Mikado at Lichfield Cathedral (narrated by Michael Fabricant)

Lichfield Cathedral is delighted to invite singers young and old to come and sing The Mikado on 13 June. This concert will enable everyone who enjoys singing, whatever their experience, to sing in the magnificent surroundings of Lichfield Cathedral as they star in their very own performance.

The Gospel of John, a live off-Broadway and U.S. touring performance, comes to Lichfield Cathedral on 8 May

It took nearly five months for actor Brad Sherrill to memorize all 20,000 words of The Gospel of John. He had plans to perform it just once at his home church in Atlanta, but has since presented John's gospel over 500 times in professional theatres and churches across the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Ireland.

On Friday 8 May at 7.30pm, Brad Sherrill will bring this celebrated touring performance to Lichfield Cathedral. The performance will be free of charge but a collection will be taken.

Coming to Lichfield Cathedral from Saturday 2 to Monday 25 May is David Harban's exhibition of etchings inspired by the Gargoyles, Grotesques and Stone Carvings of the Cathedral. The exhibition will be open every day during this period. David's website has a preview of the etchings that will be featured.

If you would like to find out more about the printing process David uses to create these etchings, he will also be hosting a series of printmaking demonstrations on 2, 16 and 23 May at 11am–1pm and 2–3.30pm.

For more information about the exhibition, contact Cathedral Enquiries.

On Saturday 4 April Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir, conducted by Philip Scriven, gave a concert with the Wind and Brass of St Chad’s Camerata and Martyn Rawles (Organ) in Lichfield Cathedral.

The Bruckner Mass in E Minor is a giant work, both in its musical and emotional range. It demonstrated from the outset the fine rapport between conductor Philip Scriven and The Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir. Although the choir could not quite aspire to the tonal richness required for the forte sections, they responded admirably to his direction to provide an exquisite muted tone in the Crucifixus of the Credo, and a heart-rending, cascading cry for mercy in the Agnus Dei. In this and the works that followed they were skilfully supported by the Brass and Wind of the St Chad’s Camerata, and Martyn Rawles, organ.

Second phase of Lichfield InSpires begins as local masonry contractors are appointed

The second phase of Lichfield InSpires began today at Lichfield Cathedral and sees Aldridge based masonry contractor, Midlands Conservation Limited, appointed on the project.

Following the completion of Phase 1 of the project on the South Clerestory, completed in January of this year, Phase 2 will now being on the north side, with work being completed to mirror the masonry of Phase 1.

The Lichfield InSpires project was launched by the Duke of Gloucester on 30 April last year and Phase 2 will restore the upper levels of the Cathedral north side. This will involve scaffolding, hoardings, work compounds and a viewing platform being erected. Access to the Cathedral will not be limited by the work by this phase and local residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the full beauty and wonder of this incredible landmark during the majority of 2008. The stone masons' work area will remain on the south side for visitors to enjoy masonry demonstrations throughout the summer months.

SPIRE CLIMBS RETURN TO LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL AS PART OF THE WHAT’S ON SERIES FOR 2009

Lichfield Cathedral is delighted to launch the What’s On guide for May to September 2009, welcoming visitors from all over the UK to explore this Staffordshire landmark. The What’s On guide includes details of a varied and interesting series of special services, concerts and events plus the tours timetable for May to September 2009. There really is something for every age at Lichfield Cathedral this spring and summer - we hope you will join us!

The Spring 2009 edition of our newsletter, Chapter and Verse, is now available to download:

• Chapter and Verse (Spring 2009) (1.93 MB)

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