Norwich Cathedral

Norwich Cathedral

 I've been attending Norwich Cathedral for weekly worship services. The Cathedral seemed an obvious place to come for worship, although I am Lutheran and not Anglican. It's over 900 years old, yet still feels like a very active worship area. The Sung Eucharist service is more high church than I am used to; there are at least three pastors presiding over the service and they process in and out with the choir. But the order of worship is familiar, and I appreciate the traditional format. The worship settings used have included music from Bach, Handel, and William Byrd. Voices really resonate in the Cathedral space. I try to blend in with the Anglo-speaking congregation. It's not true that British people lose their accents when they sing! You can definitely hear a difference in words like never, ever, water, pastures, shoulder, staff, transport... to take some examples from "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" that we sang today. Last week we sang "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing" using the Lyngham tune. I knew this one from Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band! There are two main worship areas. Here are some pictures I took after a service held in the presbytery. You can also take a virtual tour of the Cathedral on their website.

Presbytery Area

New Organ

Cathedral Cat!

The Crossing

Decorative Lectern

Cloisters

Listen to the Cathedral bells. 

Listen to a clip of the organ.

The organ has recently been rebuilt by Harrison & Harrison of Durham. An inaugural concert will be broadcast on the BBC. Check BBC Sounds after November 25 for the recording!

Worship services are available to view on the Cathedral's YouTube page.

Thanks for reading!

Hexachordia and Strangers' Hall

 Hello friends! Although I spent much of the weekend catching up on reading, I did make time for visiting a couple local parks for study breaks. Heigham Park and Eton Park are not far from where I live. 

A place of charm and quiet beauty

Rose bower

Eaton Park

Stately!

Since going to the Flánn gig, I have been keeping an eye out for other music events to attend. The Hexachordia Trio is an ensemble that plays sixteenth and seventeenth century music on period instruments. Their concert included dances, jigs, galliards, and the like, some with vocals. Here's a clip from a different concert by Hexachordia. Here's one of Washerwoman's Bransle performed by another group.

Hexachordia at St Peter Mancroft

It was fitting to visit Strangers' Hall the next day. Parts of the hall have been around since the fourteenth century and there have been numerous additions through the centuries. I had those tunes playing in my mind as I walked through the house and gardens. 

Courtyard

Yes, that says 1571.

In the parlour

Gardens

Also this past week I attended an author visit by Katherine Rundell at Waterstones! She talked about her latest children's book, Impossible Creatures. Some of the stories she told included her experience eating a tarantula and learning how to tightrope walk, but one of the best was when she described her favourite book, which is Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones. 

Favourite quote: 'Children's books are where you go to learn to be brave.'

I have to share this sign I saw outside of Thorns with you as well. I've yet to see a hedgehog, though!

Hedgehog Dry & Wet Food

Thanks for reading!