Volunteers time, expertise and commitment make so much of what we do possible, their contribution is essential to sustaining and strengthening the work of Cathedral Music Trust across the UK and Ireland.
Rosemary Downey is a long-standing supporter of Friends of Cathedral Music and Cathedral Music Trust with nearly 18 years volunteering under her belt, she has taken on a wide range of roles from volunteer recruitment and communications to governance, event organisation, and regional coordination. Her journey began after retirement and a move to York, where a lifelong love of music and church music in particular led her to York Minster and, shortly afterwards, to the charity as it was known then Friends of Cathedral Music. Rosemary’s connection to cathedral music is deeply personal, having witnessed its importance first-hand while her son served as both a Cathedral chorister and later a Lay Clerk. With more time available following her retirement, she not only became a member of the charity, then entirely run by volunteers, but also offered her own time and energy in support of its mission.
What followed has been a remarkable period of service, learning and leadership within the organisation, shaped by a deep commitment to supporting cathedral music and the communities around it.
Rosemary (far right) enjoying Manx Tea in Peel Cathedral on the Isle of Man
Here, Rosemary reflects on her experiences and the many roles she has undertaken over the years.
Over the years, I have been the volunteer recruitment officer, producing leaflets, posters and other information to support regional volunteers in their roles, approaching organisations who might support and donate, and generally trying to spread the word. For some years, I also organised the printing and sale of Christmas cards for Friends of Cathedral Music, which was an activity well out of my comfort zone, but I learnt how to make the right contacts and haggle with printers! In 2012 I was elected to the Board of Trustees where I served for nine years, helping to form strategy and make decisions. Both roles helped me to understand the scope of the need for support and funding in a wide range of choral and church organisations. While still a Trustee I was part of the team who helped to oversee the move to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with a new name of ‘Cathedral Music Trust’.
Right from the start I loved attending local and national gatherings, visiting wonderful places, which I wouldn’t otherwise have discovered, hearing amazing choirs and organs, and meeting a wonderful range of like-minded people, many of whom have become firm friends. So, when The National Gatherings Manager decided to retire in 2016, I stepped up and took on the role, organising fifteen national gatherings over a period of six years, in places ranging across the country from Cambridge, Edinburgh, Hampton Court, to the Isle of Man and Dublin. This role has given me an infinite amount of pleasure, meeting many new people, discovering what makes our cathedrals work, and providing information, entertainment and cake for Friends and strangers alike. As my mobility has decreased, I have moved to be a Regional Coordinator, supporting our wonderful team of volunteers in the north of England, Midlands and Wales, largely online.
From this variety of roles, I have encountered people and situations that I wouldn’t otherwise have met, learning to deal with a wide range of new tasks – a wonderful education. I have needed to learn how to get the best out of cathedral staff, musicians and vergers. I have learnt about budgeting, printers, designers, coach companies, caterers, dealing with a variety of people in a wide range of roles. Working as a volunteer for Cathedral Music Trust isn’t the only volunteering role I have taken on since retirement, but I can honestly say that it is the one that has given me most pleasure, satisfaction and the widest education.
So, if you have a little time on your hands, or would like to do something fulfilling and worthwhile, consider volunteering for the Trust. Wherever you live in the UK, you can volunteer as a Local Ambassador, telling people about the charity, encouraging donations, sending in news from the local diocese, cathedral and churches, and, with lots of support, organising the occasional event at a church, abbey or cathedral near you. You might prefer to work as a Regional Coordinator, keeping in touch and supporting other volunteers, or you could help to organise national events as part of our Events Working Group committee, or indeed become our next National Gatherings Manager, a role which is to become vacant from 2028. Volunteering for Cathedral Music Trust has been the best thing I have done since retirement – I have given the Trust my time, and the Trust has given me so much satisfaction and fulfilment.
Rosemary (left) enjoying the grounds of Hampton Court Palace with fellow gathering attendee Pamela Coleman (right)
Rosemary Downey (Regional Coordinator: North, Midlands, and Wales)
If you are interested in volunteering with Cathedral Music Trust , we’d love to hear from you! Please email [email protected], or, take a look at our volunteering page!
