Worcester Cathedral

03/06/2026

The Summer Lunchtime Recital Series continues tomorrow, Thursday 4 June at 12.15pm, with a performance by bass Jonathan Heron.

All are welcome to attend this concert, with donations welcomed at a retiring collection.

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We are delighted that bass Jonathan Heron will be giving this week's Lunchtime Recital on Thursday 4th June at 12.15pm.

All are welcome to attend this concert, with donations welcomed at a retiring collection.

As Principal Bass Lay Clerk here at Worcester Cathedral, Jonathan contributes to the daily cycle of worship, regular concerts, and the world-renowned Three Choirs Festival.

Jonathan studied at the Purcell School for Young Musicians and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where he first discovered his love for cathedral music at St Philip’s Cathedral.

Following his graduation, he spent a year as the Bass Choral Scholar at Canterbury Cathedral before becoming Bass Lay Clerk at Rochester Cathedral, moving to Worcester in 2025.

Known for his eclectic collection of musical vocations, he enjoys composing and recording music, playing the trumpet and piano, and singing as a soloist.

Beyond performing and writing, Jonathan takes great joy in his peripatetic teaching. He currently tutors at the Elgar School of Music, where he specialises in developing musical identity and aural awareness. Jonathan’s years of experience in cathedral singing have helped him find stylistic sensitivity and individuality; these make up the foundation of his teaching philosophy.

When not performing or teaching, Jonathan also enjoys indoor bouldering.

Programme:

Lord God of Abraham (from Elijah) - Felix Mendelssohn
Say to them of a fearful heart (from The Wilderness) - S.S. Wesley

Bible Songs:
A Song of Hope (No. 3) - Charles Villers Stanford
A Song of Battle (No. 5) - Charles Villers Stanford
A Song of Wisdom (No. 6) - Charles Villers Stanford

The Infinite Shining Heavens - Ralph Vaughan Williams
Easter (from Five Mystical Songs) - Ralph Vaughan Williams

Tears (from Five Elizabethan Songs) - Ivor Gurney
Severn Meadows – Ivor Gurney

King David - Herbert Howells

03/06/2026

Holy Communion from Worcester Cathedral on Wednesday 3rd June celebrated by the Archdeacon of Worcester

02/06/2026

'Living in Harmony with Life: Diet and Animal Welfare'
Saturday 13 June 2026 | The Old Palace | 2pm

This session looks at the ethical and practical aspects of how humans relate to the animal kingdom.

What are the implications for animals of humans being the most powerful species on the planet? Does that give us a right to exploit animals without limit, or do we have deeper responsibilities to them? This session considers our relationship with the animal kingdom with a particular practical emphasis on how we can live responsibly.

Staffan Engström was for many years a corporate executive and strategist in companies with multi-billion turnover, playing a key role in sustainability initiatives and serving on the Midlands Business in the Community advisory board. He has been a member and chair of Worcester Cathedral's Eco Group, and is a member of the Cathedral Chapter.

Go to worcestercathedral.org.uk/eco to book your free tickets (link in bio)!

02/06/2026

01/06/2026

🐇🎩 Alice in Wonderland Comes to Worcester Cathedral THIS JULY! 🎩🐇

Step through the looking glass this summer as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland comes to the stunning Worcester Cathedral on Wednesday 29 July at 2pm!

Brought to life by the acclaimed Is My Theatre, this enchanting production invites audiences of all ages to join Alice on her magical journey down the rabbit hole. Meet the curious Cheshire Cat, the ever-late White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, and the fearsome Queen of Hearts in a lively show packed with humour, live music, and plenty of delightful nonsense.

✨ Special offer: First 100 children go FREE
🎶 With original live music and a faithful yet imaginative take on Lewis Carroll’s classic, this is a summer treat you won’t want to miss.
🎟️ Book now: www.worcestercathedral.org.uk/Alice
(Limited free child tickets – first come, first served!)

31/05/2026

📚 Latest from the Cathedral Library Blog: 'Worcester Cathedral in the seventh and eight centuries: a basic overview'

On a recent library tour a visitor asked about what the historical context of some of the very earliest manuscript fragments was surviving at Worcester. After all, it can be quite hard to conjure up in your mind’s eye a picture of what was going on when something so early was copied by a scribe. Whilst professional historians and archaeologists have researched this thoroughly, perhaps it is helpful to try and give a quick overview for the general visitor to the Cathedral to provide some background for their next visit...

Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4uFWOvI

📷 Abbess Hilda depicted in a stained glass window in Worcester cathedral cloister. Image copyright the Dean and Chapter of Worcester Cathedral (UK)

31/05/2026

We are delighted to welcome two new Non-Executive Members to Chapter.

Christopher Price is a committed member of the Church of England, worshipping at St Godwald's Church in Bromsgrove.

An experienced charity leader, qualified solicitor and strategic advocate, Christopher has worked extensively across the charitable, environmental and rural sectors, engaging with government, public bodies, community organisations and a wide range of stakeholders. He is currently the Chief Executive of a UK wide conservation charity, leading the organisation through a period of significant development and policy change.

His earlier legal career included senior public law roles within local government and private practice.

Christopher brings substantial expertise in charity governance, regulatory compliance, financial stewardship and organisational leadership.

Patrick Swan grew up in Worcestershire, where he still lives on the family farm.

On leaving school he studied horticulture at Writtle University College, Chelmsford, before embarking on a career in heritage garden management. This has seen him responsible for the care and development of a number of highly significant heritage landscapes across the UK, including Walsingham Abbey, Norfolk, and Arley Hall, Cheshire.

In 2015 he was appointed as Gardens Advisor to the National Trust, largely covering the organisation’s gardens across Wales and the southwest. In this role he was responsible for ensuring the integrity of these important heritage sites was preserved, together with helping property and regional teams develop visitor engagement. He has lectured in the UK & Europe on visitor engagement and conservation of heritage sites.

He has a strong interest in the role of gardens & nature in wellbeing and spiritual development, and is a trustee of the Quiet Garden Movement. He is also a trustee of the Japanese Garden Society. For seven years Patrick was a Governor of Writtle University College.

At home he spends an inordinate amount of time developing his own garden, which has occasional openings and is also a registered Quiet Garden. Patrick is an active member of St Paul’s church, Cookhill, having previously served as Churchwarden for a number of years. He has been visiting and worshipping at the Cathedral on and off for nearly fifty years and is immensely honoured and excited at the opportunity of becoming part of the team here.

31/05/2026

Join us for worship this Trinity Sunday (31 May), for the following services:

7.30am Morning Prayer

8am Holy Communion (with livestream)

10.30am Sung Eucharist (sung by the Chamber Choir)

4pm Elgar Festival Evensong with Wreath-Laying by the Elgar Society (sung by the Chamber Choir)

All are warmly welcome 🙏