Canterbury & Rochester Gathering

Overview

The Canterbury and Rochester Cathedrals’ National Gathering will be based in Canterbury, but will include a day in Rochester. We start on Friday afternoon in Canterbury with guided tours of the Cathedral. You can then choose to attend any of the eclectic talks on offer that include a visit to the Archive’s ‘From Medieval Music to Modern Day’, talks on the Cathedral Stained Glass, Ethelbert & Augustine, Thomas Becket, Monarchs, Archbishops, or World War II. We finish the afternoon with a demonstration and talk about the organs at the Cathedral. A cream tea will be served in the Clagett Auditorium in the Lodge in the Cathedral grounds where you will be welcomed by the Clergy and introduced to Cathedral Music Trust staff and volunteers. After tea you will be invited to take your seat in the Quire for Evensong sung by the Lay Clerks. After finding your own dinner in Canterbury you can join a candlelight pilgrimage around the Cathedral followed by Compline sung by the Choral Scholars.

On Saturday morning you will travel by coach to Rochester Cathedral where you will be welcomed by the Dean and served coffee. Adrian Bawtree, the Director of Music at Rochester will give a talk about music at Rochester Cathedral before you are taken for guided tours of the Cathedral and Rochester Castle. An organ recital will be given before lunch served in the Quire. Following the afternoon tour, you will take the coach back to Canterbury in time for Evensong. The Gathering Dinner will be served in Clagett Auditorium preceded by a drinks reception. We will be entertained after dinner by our speaker Stephen Barlow.

On Sunday, Eucharist will sung by the Boys and Lay Clerks followed by coffee in the Chapter House. A hot lunch will be served in the Clagett Auditorium followed by a talk from Director of Music David Newsholme about music in Canterbury Cathedral. Later in the afternoon you can choose to walk to St Martin’s Church, the oldest church in England (going back to Roman times), or join a City History Tour with a local guide. Evensong will be Girls’ Voices with the Lay Clerks, after which we will return to the Clagett Auditorium for the last time for a farewell reception of tea, coffee and cake with an opportunity to meet Clergy, Music Staff, Choristers, Lay Clerks, Chorister Parents and Alumni.

Travel

There is an hourly train connection from London St Pancras which takes less than one hour. Canterbury East and West Stations are only 10 minutes walk to the centre of the city. Parking in Canterbury can be expensive so if you are coming by car, it is worth checking parking details with your hotel/B&B. There is a park and Ride on the outskirts of the city, and the bus station is a 5 minute walk from the Cathedral Precincts.

Further information

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