February 2018


Three Welsh Cathedrals Silvia Joinson


Over Christmas, between visiting family in Bris- tol and Cardiff we explored three Welsh cathe- drals. The Church in Wales was formed in 1920 following its disestablishment from the Church of England. Two of the cathedrals we visited were in dioceses created at that time, Monmouth with its cathedral in Newport, and Swansea and Brecon with the cathedral in Brecon.


St Woolos in Newport was a lovely surprise. As we toiled up the steep slope of Stow Hill on a grey De- cember day the building on the horizon did not look very enticing. Inside we were welcomed into a sim- ple, very beautiful build- ing. Entering under the tower is a small chapel and then an imposing Norman arch (pillars thought to be from a local Roman fort) into a fine nave of the same period.


When the diocese of Mon- mouth was first created there was some discussion as to which church would become the cathedral. One suggestion was to restore Tintern Abbey! At St Woolos the main disadvantage was the size of the chancel. The solution was an impressive 1960’s extension with a splendid rose window and mural by John Piper at the east end. The woodwork is by Thompson of Kilburn (Yorkshire) with its carved mouse signature. This was an uplifting experience.


It snowed overnight so the drive through snow capped hills to Brecon was stunning. Again the cathedral was up a hill and of Norman origin, with a vividly carved font. The most impressive architectural feature here is the Early English chancel with three long high windows. There is a


fantastic, suspended bronze crucifix, originally modelled from drift wood


St Woolos, Newport; Rose Window and mural


Llandaff, NW of Cardiff, proved difficult to find- a significant lack of useful brown signs! The ca- thedral describes itself as one of the oldest in Britain and this time we had to walk down steep steps. Again we saw some magnificent Nor- man work, notably the Bishop Urban arch. Above this was a Piper window depicting the walk to Emmaus. There were other Norman doorways and we were interested in a memorial to William Morgan, Bishop of Llandaff 1595 – 1601 who translated the whole Bible into Welsh. The building suffered considerable damage from a German landmine in 1941. One feature of the restoration was the huge concrete chancel arch which now has Epstein’s


“Magestas” on it facing the west door. The 12th century east window in the Lady Chapel has modern glass of the “Jesse Tree”. Here again we received a warm welcome and were directed to an easier way out. In the turmoil of Christmas trav- elling the cathedrals were a calm, holy celebra- tion that was deeply appreciated.


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Abingdon Women’s World Day of Prayer


Are offering a full bursary for a woman aged 20-40, to attend the Y-Pray Conference 4-6 May, 2018 in Northampton.


If you are interested please talk to Elizabeth Dawson before 11 February. 01235 526415


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