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The Cathedral Archives, Libraries and Collections Association WINTER 2018 From the Chairman… Welcome to the year 2019 in the year. Cathedrals have a unique world of cathedral archives, role in conserving, celebrating libraries and collections. After and interpreting the past, as even four years of commemorating the the government acknowledged in First World War, and with other linking its recent repair grants to major commemorations such as the commemoration of the First Magna Carta in recent years, the World War. Perhaps deans and coming year seems to be one chapters have not always been without a major anniversary. Of quick to notice the importance of course, there may be many their own archives, libraries and important anniversaries in the collections in this, but this life of different cathedrals, and it Association exists, not only to will be interesting to hear of encourage the practitioners in significant exhibitions in which those fields, but also to emphasize cathedral archivists, librarians to the wider Cathedral and collections managers find community the importance of I The Very Reverend Peter Atkinson themselves involved over the what we do. CALCA News… CALCA Triennial Conference 2019, 12th-14th June 2019, Salisbury Cathedral rrangements for the next CALCA A triennial conference are well in hand and we all at Salisbury look forward to welcoming you. The main venue will be Sarum College (pictured) located in the Cathedral Close. The details of the programme will be finalised in January and then booking information will be circulated. I hope that there will be something for everyone whether you are a librarian, archivist or museum professional and that it will be a good opportunity for us to meet together and share ideas. Sessions/talks will include: cataloguing standards for rare books, archives and objects; volunteers in the heritage industry; undertaking a condition assessment; book provenance; and integrating and using collections to benefit other areas of a cathedral’s work and mission. There will also be opportunities to visit the Cathedral Archive and Library. Lots more is also in the planning pipeline! Emily Naish, Cathedral Archivist Newsletter – Winter 2018 • 1 CALCA Day Conference 2018 embers of the Association AR project being developed freelance conservator who has M gathered at Exeter between the University of worked on numerous projects Cathedral on 12th June 2018 for Exeter, Exeter Cathedral and assessing and treating historic the AGM and a day of talks Fougères Castle in France. This painted surfaces in Exeter taking the theme ‘Unlocking the project will make use of Cathedral. Recently that work Potential’. augmented reality and virtual has included a project on the Canon Ann Barwood and her reality technology to transform Cathedral’s West Front and colleagues were welcoming hosts the experiences of tourists in Eddie showed the conference a and had organised a full and heritage sites. Extensive data has striking reconstruction of how fascinating programme for the been gathered from studying the the stonework might have day exploring many of the ways behaviour of visitors to Exeter appeared in the 15th century in in which historical material can Cathedral to determine where all its multi-coloured glory. be used to advance research, value can be added to their During the afternoon the AGM engage visitors and support experiences. Laurence has was held. It was reported that restoration projects. Five worked closely with the Library three grants had recently been sessions demonstrated the and Archives teams to consider awarded by CALCA to support admirable array of projects with ways in which this technology work on cathedral archives, which Exeter Cathedral Archives can improve access to their libraries and collections. News is involved and provided much collections and enhance visitors’ was shared of ongoing projects at food for thought for all who appreciation of the Cathedral’s Gloucester, Salisbury, York attended. history. Minster and Christ Church, Dr Elizabeth New and John PhD student Jesse Lynch Dublin. Janet Berry kindly McEwan spoke about their work shared some of his research into updated those present on CFCE’s using new forensic technologies the early use of paper. Typically work towards improving and digital photography to this is considered an early guidance for cathedral enhance historical studies. Dr modern medium, but research in inventories. New is working on the Imprint the archives of Exeter Cathedral Rosemary Firman (Librarian at Project, which analyses in great and other institutions with Hereford Cathedral) and Simon detail the palm and finger prints medieval origins has revealed Carter (Collections Manager at St left on wax seals by those who that paper was in use as early as Paul’s Cathedral) were appointed handled them as they were the 13th century. Jesse’s to the CALCA committee, with formed. The project considers research explores the extent of Ann Barwood and Gudrun what can be learnt from these this and its impact on scribal Warren stepping down from prints about administrative and practice and international trade. their positions. legal processes. Meanwhile, John After a very tasty lunch two of The day conference was McEwan’s work for the Digital the Archives’ regular volunteers, therefore Ann Barwood’s final Sigillography Resource—a Angela Doughty and Phil Hobbs, event as Vice-Chairperson of project at the University of St talked about the opportunities CALCA. At the close of the day Louis, Missouri—is compiling a they have had to explore the the Chairman gave a short central, digital database where Cathedral’s Act Books and other speech and presented a bouquet highly detailed images of seals old documents and how this has of flowers to thank Ann both for from many different collections enriched their understanding of organising a splendid day and for can be studied and compared. the Cathedral’s past. It has also her contributions to the You can explore this resource at enabled them to discover some Association over many years. www.digisig.org. wonderful stories which they Exeter Cathedral’s Marketing shared with us. Kate McQuillian, Manager, Laurence Blyth, spoke The final presentation of the St George’s Chapel, Windsor to us about the exciting VISTA- day was given by Eddie Sinclair, a 2 • The Cathedral Archives, Libraries and Collections Association I really didn’t know what I was New CALCA Committee Member letting myself in for, so when I projects. I’ve never been bored in found that the Cathedral was an this job. open, inclusive, non-judgmental At the age of 15, I was place, with no airs or graces, I felt commandeered into becoming I was amongst like-minded organist of my parish church people. To lead a small team of despite the fact that I’d only dedicated professionals who are played the organ twice, and the full of common sense, second time was for a wedding imagination and with good because the real organist failed to senses of humour is a privilege. turn up. The fees seemed good, so It’s great to feel part of a long I stuck with it, and at university, continuum of worship and where I studied music, I was an learning. The best part of my organ scholar and a member of work is when I feel I’ve advanced the Schola Cantorum, and fell learning and understanding a absolutely in love with the music tiny bit by the support I’ve given I Dr Rosemary Firman of the English choral tradition. to a visiting researcher or s Cathedral Librarian I’m As a child, when asked what I someone searching for A responsible both for the would wish for if a fairy with a knowledge. I find joy in my work care of the Cathedral’s historic magic wand appeared, I said ‘a and feel it is all so worthwhile, collections and for organising room full of books’. Well, I got which is marvellous. access to them in a multitude of my wish, as I went on to become In my ‘spare’ time, I also work ways, with the support of my a music librarian at various for my husband Roger’s business, colleagues Elizabeth Semper universities and conservatoires, Golden Chord, a specialist Braille O’Keefe (Archivist) and Emma starting in Nottingham, then music transcription service. I’ve Semple (Library and Archives Manchester and eventually helped to proofread everything Assistant), and the help of a London. I got increasingly inter- from ‘Bless this house’ wonderful team of volunteers. ested in special collections and to Symphonie fantastique. Many people think that rare books and in 2003 escaped Scrutinising every detail of a librarians and archivists lead to the country to work on the musical score, if the music is quiet lives, but in reality we face huge private library at Longleat good, is fascinating. I’d like more a constant barrage of enquiries House. Then towards the end of time for gardening, playing the from all sorts of interesting 2010 I saw an advertisement for piano and wandering in wild people from all round the world, my present job and thought places. and are involved in unexpected ‘Chained Library, Mappa Dr Rosemary Firman, happenings and exciting Mundi—wow! Go for it girl!’ Librarian News from the Members… Canterbury Cathedral Alison succeeds Ashleigh working on several digitisation Hawkins, who left the staff in projects, including latterly the t the end of October, the August to take up a PhD. Alison project to digitise pre-1200 A department welcomed Dr comes to us from the British manuscripts at the BL and at the Alison Ray as Assistant Archivist. Library, where she has been Bibliothèque Nationale de France Newsletter – Winter 2018 • 3 funded by the Polonsky Advent Calendar on the Culture at the University of York Foundation.

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