Arlingham WI

Forthcoming events include a Calendar Competition for 2016, a walk at Witcombe, a walking holiday to Bakewell and news that the visit to see the Guide dogs has been cancelled, as there are no puppies currently available.

The Red Lion was settled upon as our venue for Christmas dinner and then nominations were requested for the committee for next year.

We also debated whether to take part in the Frampton themed Christmas tree event.

After the financial report from Chris, we then discussed arrangements for the next Lunch club to be held at ‘Egypt Mill’ on Wednesday, October 22.

Our speaker this month was Richard Camm, whose talk was ‘A Brief History of Gloucester Cathedral.’

Somehow he managed to condense over 1,000 years of history into about 55 minutes. He began by telling us that in 2004 three guides at the Cathedral began an inventory of the stained glass.

It took them three and a half years to complete it, as there is so much.

His talk was interspersed with fascinating snippets for example, Kingsholm derives from the fact that it really was the King’s home as there are the ruins of a palace beneath it.

The Cathedral was originally a Church, which burnt down and in 1089 the first stone of an Abbey was laid in its place.

After that it saw the Coronation of the boy King, Henry III and the Great East Window was put in in 1350.

Essentially then, it was a building site for 150 years.

In 1540 it was surrendered to the King’s Commissioner as part of King Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries.

The architecture is partly Norman built in a semi circular style with great pillars.

When part of the roof burnt down the bottom of the pillars were scorched leaving them a reddish colour.

Some of the artefacts in the Cathedral also have an interesting history.

There is a Gloucester Candlestick dating from c. 1107, which is currently in the V&A Museum.

On the Cathedral’s 900th Anniversary it was suggested that it be returned on loan.

Unfortunately the insurance would have been astronomical as it was valued at £6 million.

The Lady Chapel has been dated before the Battle of Bosworth as the White Rose of York was found there.

It is obviously dedicated to the Virgin Mary and not as one American tourist suggested to Lady Thatcher.

The Victorians did an enormous amount of renovation on the Cathedral, seamlessly blending the old and the new.

Unfortunately they left no record of what they replaced.

Today there are modern windows in memory of the Korean War and new collapsible furniture by Tom Denny in memory of Ivor Gurney.

This was an absolutely fascinating talk and when Richard suggested that we get a group visit together it was greeted with evident enthusiasm.

The vote of thanks was given by Chris Pugsley, after which we enjoyed a truly delicious spread from hostesses Kay Riddell and Beryl Gardner.

The competition for an item beginning with the letter G was won by Pauline with a pair of gloves, second place went to Bronwen with a goblet and third place to Chris Gardner with a glass bowl.

It was decided to give the flowers to Sandra Blackett as she recently celebrated her golden Wedding Anniversary.

The next meeting will be on November 13 at 7.30pm in the village Hall.

The competition will be ‘Something beginning with the letter H.’

New members and visitors are always welcome.