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ASSOCIATION of
ANGLICAN WINCHESTER, UK Day 1 - Monday 10th July 2017 Arrive in Winchester and Book in to your accommodation venues from 3.00pm (Accommodation addresses can be found under "Useful Information" on the next page) Winchester
The historic city of
Winchester has been welcoming groups for centuries, ever since the first
pilgrims visited the shrine of St Swithun. Already an important town in
Roman times, it became the capital under the Anglo Saxons, and in Alfreds time
871-901 was a great centre of learning. William the Conqueror kept
Winchester as his capital and as late as the 17th Century Charles II planned a
palace here. The city is rich in important buildings, one such building is
the Great Hall, completed in 1235 it is a magnificent example of 13th Century
domestic architecture. It is now an Assize Court. Sir Walter Raleigh was
condemned to death here in 1603 and on the wall hangs what is called King
Arthur's Round Table, marked out and inscribed for his knights. However one
building stands out above all others, the cathedral. Winchester Cathedral
The
building was started in 1079 and consecrated in 1093. Work from this
period can still be seen in the crypt, transepts and east part of the cloister.
Between 1189 and 1204 the lady chapel was built and the choir extended. It
is the longest Medieval Cathedral in Europe (556ft) in 1110 the central tower
collapsed and was rebuilt with the supporting piers greatly strengthened (they
are now 20ft in width). Among its treasures is the Great Winchester Bible dating
back to the 12th Century, this illuminated copy was written in the scriptorium
at Winchester and is now preserved in the Cathedral library. The Conference Registration desk is situated in the Royal Hotel in the Winton
Room
Day 2 - Tuesday 11th July 2017 Full Breakfast will be provided at all accommodations. 9.00am Conference business meeting and lectures at the United Church, Jewry Street. 11.30am Opening Eucharist at Winchester Cathedral Afternoon Excursion to Chichester, including Introduction from Charles Harrison (Organist and Master of the Choristers) and Guided Tours of the Cathedral Chichester
An ancient
city dating back to 43AD when the Romans landed nearby and established a base
here. Evidence of their occupation can be seen in the remains of the defensive walls,
They also built a Palace at nearby Fishbourne, one of the largest Roman
buildings uncovered in Britain. When the Romans left, the Saxons
established a settlement here and the area continued to be quite peaceful and
prosperous. The present City lay out follows the original Roman plan of
walls and roads. North, South, East & West Streets crossing at the 16th
Century Butter Cross. Many fine Georgian houses exist especially in a
delightful street called Little London and the flat landscape makes it a fine
and very easy place to explore divided up as it is into four quadrants separated
by the main thoroughfares.
Chichester
Cathedral
The main
building began in about 1076 under the leadership of Bishop Stigand and
continued under Bishop Ralph De Luffa. A fire in 1114 hindered progress
but most of what we see today existed by 1123. The Cloisters were built in
approx. 1400, followed by the seven light window in the North Transept.
The Chapter House was also completed at about this time. The detached bell
tower was built during the early part of the 15th Century and while
many Cathedrals once had such a building, only the one at Chichester remains today.
It was built to take the weight of the eight massive bells from the Central
Tower. The spire and The Arundel Screen are also 15th Century.
The original Arundel Screen was removed in 1859 and this possibly precipitated
the collapse of the tower in 1861. In 1961 it was restored to its original
position as we see it today. The Prebendal School where the Choristers are
educated stands alongside the Cathedral and is the oldest school in Sussex and
was originally endowed by Edward Storey, Bishop in 1478. The vicars hall
bordering South Street is Circa 15th Century. The 12th
Century Undercroft is now the restaurant. The Vicars' Close also early 15th
Century. The Deanery was built in 1725 and the gateway at the end of Canon
Lane leading to the Bishops Palace is Circa 1327. The Palace just South of
the Cathedral contains a lovely 12th Century Chapel. The
gardens and serenity of this Cathedral is a joy to behold. Opportunity to attend Evensong at Chichester Cathedral
Day 3 - Wednesday 12th July 2017 Full Breakfast will be provided at all accommodations. 9.00am Conference business meeting and lectures at the United Church, Jewry Street. Various Guided tour of Winchester City Arranged
St
Swithun Upon Kingsgate Church, Winchester
This
tiny little Church unique in its position, located above the medieval Kingsgate
on one of the main entrances to the City. First mentioned in 1264 but in the
context of being burnt down, so we know it must have been used earlier than
this. It is thought to have been used by pilgrims coming to the Shrine of St
Swithun as they entered the City they would give thanks in the Church for safe
deliverance.
St
Lawrence Church, Winchester
It is of
great interest not only for its unusual square design but also its fine 17th
Century King post roof and its ancient site. There was a Church on this site
before the Norman Conquest in 1066 and it was incorporated into William the
Conquers Palace as a Royal Chapel.
St
Bartholomews Church , Winchester
One of the oldest Church sites
in the area established in 1110. The Parish Church of Hyde formerly a village
outside the walls of the City of Winchester. Part of Hyde Abbey before the
disillusion in 1538. The tower was built in 1541. The chancel and the rest of
the church was rebuilt in the 19th century.
Great
Hall, Winchester
One of the best aisled halls of
the 1200s surviving in the country. It is all that remains of old Winchester
Castle and houses a symbol of medieval mythology – King Arthurs round table.
Opportunity to attend Evensong at Winchester Cathedral Evening Buffet arranged, followed by at Organ Recital by Andrew Lumsden
Day 4 - Thursday 13th July 2017 Full Breakfast will be provided at all accommodations. Full Day Trip to Salisbury Salisbury
A town where there is
no need to go looking for interests in dark corners, it is all around. The
city dates back to the 13th Century when it was decided to move the Bishops seat
from Old Sarum. The Cathedral foundations were begun in 1220 and the city
started to grow. Salisbury was built on a grid or chequer system which
left space between the blocks. Cathedral Close is the most beautiful in
all England and the list of buildings with interest is unending. It is
interesting to note that the main wall around the Cathedral Close was granted by
license from Edward III.
St
Thomas Church, Salisbury
This large town Church was originally built as a place of worship for the stone
masons working on the 13th Century Cathedral. It was rebuilt in the
15th Century. The tower was originally detached until the extension
of the 15th Century. The Nave and Aisles are perpendicular and
the rooves are superb, especially the Nave with crested and painted beams and
over 100 angels in various locations. The South chapel was built approx 1450.
Yet a chance of history preserved above its Chancel arch the most complete doom
mural in England dating back to approx 1450-75, we know the work was painted
over in 1593 but discovered again and restored in 1881. We do know from
pre-restoration drawings that the composition is original. Salisbury Cathedral
The first sight of the
Cathedral is most impressive an early example of English architecture. Its
spire soaring to a height of 404ft the highest in England which imposes almost
6,000 tons of stone on the four pillars of the crossing. The Nave measures
198ft with a clear uncluttered beauty, little having changed since it was built.
With Foundations no more than 4 feet deep on a bed of gravel, the main building was
begun in 1220 and completed in 1258. The Cloisters and Chapter house being
finished in 1280. It was never a Monastic institution but staffed with
Secular Clergy called Canons. This arrangements continues today.
Canons would be away in their parishes for most of the year, just coming back to
the Cathedral for short periods of time. The present houses round the
close are built on the sites of the former Canons' Houses. Opportunity to attend Evensong at Salisbury Cathedral Evening Meal arranged at the Cathedral Refectory
Day 5 - Friday 14th July 2017 Full Breakfast will be provided at all accommodations. 9.00am Conference business meeting and lectures at the United Church, Jewry Street. Various Guided tour of Winchester Cathedral Arranged Opportunity to listen to Rehearsals in the Cathedral before Evensong 7.30pm Musical evening at the United Church 9.30pm Cheese and Wine Supper, sponsored by the 'Friends of Cathedral Music'
Day 6 - Saturday 15th July 2017 Full Breakfast will be provided at all accommodations. Free Day in the City 12.30pm - 3.00pm Informal finger buffet and gathering at the Winchester Wessex Hotel 4.30pm St Swithuns Festival Evensong in the Cathedral
St
Swithun
St Swithun thought to have been
born about circa 800 and died in 862. He was an Anglo Saxon Bishop of Winchester
and subsequently the patron Saint of Winchester. His historical importance is
over shadowed by his reputation for posthumous miracle working.
Day 7 - Sunday 16th July 2017 Full Breakfast will be provided at all accommodations. Morning Holy Eucharist Service at Romsey Abbey Romsey Abbey
The Abbey dates back to
the start of the 10th century. Anglo-Saxon foundations have in fact been
discovered. (a trapdoor exists to access the remains from the church). The
main building however does date back to the 12th Century built by Henry de Blois,
Bishop of Winchester. The church was actually sold to the town for £100
during the dissolution. With the exception of the West front the Abbey is
entirely 12th Century. The Norman nave is over 250ft long and soars to a
height of over 70ft. Some very interesting items are to be seen within the
walls, especially at the rear of the altar in the South choir aisle, where you
can see a small Anglo-Saxon rood showing Christ with angels and soldiers.
Also on the West wall of the South transept hangs a crucifixion with the hand of
god reaching down, it is verified that this also dates back to Anglo-Saxon
times. A delightful Abbey which cannot fail to inspire and enthuse one. Buffet Lunch provided Close of Conference service at the 'Hospital of St Cross Church'
Hospital of St Cross,
Winchester
St Cross is almost a Norman Cathedral in miniature but also doubles as the local
parish church of St Faith. The structure is almost entirely of the late
Norman period. The Nave is dominated by massive Norman piers. A
closer look will see the Norman architecture giving way to Gothic walls and
windows. The church was extensively restored by Butterfield in the 19th
Century. But it is outside that one finds a perfect gem,
England’s
oldest and most perfect Almshouses. Begun in 1136 to house 13 poor men and
feed a 100 local people each day. The founder was Henry De Blois the half
brother of King Stephen. It was the Almshouses that saved the Church after
the Dissolution in 1536. The Almshouses are still in use today serving 12
or so Brothers and are situated round two Tudor quadrangles. The quaint
intentions of the founder is still honoured today. Every traveller
knocking at the door receives a morsel of bread and a horn of beer (known as the
Wayfarers Dole) 6.30pm Final Evening Banquet Arranged at the Guildhall Winchester
Day 8 - Monday 17th July 2017 Full Breakfast will be provided at all accommodations. Departure day for main Convention Delegates. Start of the Side Trip to St Davids (more information on subsequent page) |
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