The Challenge of COVID-19 The Bishop Education Canon Kathryn Percival Across Europe by Rail Gordon D Baxter Charles II & Catherine Joanna Godfree YEARBOOK 2020 CONTENTS PRESIDENT’S INTRODUCTION The Rt Revd Christopher Foster 1 THE DEAN The Very Revd Dr Anthony Cane 3 CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT Captain Andrew Slater RN 5 LOCK-DOWN & EDUCATION The Revd Canon Kathryn Percival 7 ARRIVAL & CATHEDRAL FINANCES Richard Abraham 10 FUTURE FRIENDS’ VISITS Captain Andrew Slater RN 12 ACROSS EUROPE BY RAIL Gordon D Baxter 14 CHARLES II & CATHERINE Joanna Godfree 21 ST THOMAS’S CHURCH IN 1900s Margaret Wilson 24 STORIES OF QUEEN VICTORIA Joanna Godfree/Editor 28 FRIENDS’ GIFTS TO THE CATHEDRAL Captain Andrew Slater RN 31 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AGENDA 2020 33 PRESENTATION OF ACCOUNTS FOR 2019 34 PARISH NOTICES 36 COUNCIL OF THE FRIENDS 37 THE RIGHT REVEREND CHRISTOPHER FOSTER The President discusses the challenge of the Covid-19 situation, the country’s response and compares it to an earlier National emergency This has been an extraordinary year. Although, truth be told, all years are extraordinary in their own way – but 2020 has been exceptional and not for the all the right reasons. The world-wide pandemic has brought our nation to almost a stand-still, as if the world has pressed a pause button in the last several months. Yet, whilst at a local level, things have found a new order with shops having been closed, schools out, people working from home and social distancing, a new wave of activity and energy has emerged. ‘Nightingale’ hospi- tals have been built within weeks. Business and family gatherings happening in ways that previously did not appear in most of our vocabulary. I shall ‘book a Zoom time for tomorrow’ becoming an integral part of this new lexicon. It is often said that we shall have to get used to a ‘new normal.’ How do we connect with each other when there is the darkness of something invisible around us? A darkness that has brought suffering, illness, near death and beyond for many people over recent months. It has been and remains for many an en- durance. This darkness is contrasted with a light of hope in the dedication of those that have served: key-workers and volunteers that have gone that extra mile – many who have literally put their lives on the line for a greater cause by helping, treating and caring for others. On-line support groups, education and social activities existing in a real albeit virtual world-wide web landscape. In contrast there has been optimism. A national camaraderie, a collective spirit that is familiar to those of us with longer memories. Clapping for our NHS & carers each week, showing a tangible example of unity, appreciation and love to- wards those who serve. This familiar order of service to others and The recent death of Vera Lynn has also been a reminder of how a bygone era resonates with the present. The familiar tunes from the past that brought a country together, singing her songs to those on the frontline. She was an em- blem of resilience and hope: “We’ll meet again, don’t know where don’t know when But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day Keep smiling through, just like you always do ‘Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away” A familiar tune has new poignancy and not least with the D-Day commemora- tions last year in Portsmouth and the 75th VE Day anniversary in May this year. The current crisis that has overshadowed the country has shown that we fall back on well-trodden ground - our traditions, our sense of belonging, our com- ing together and having a spirit that there are better days and meeting again ahead. This crisis, with the building of the new hospitals and the ways found to come ‘face to face’ with each other, has reminded us all that there is hope and every reason to feel confident about our future. Our Cathedral is a visible sign of a community that reaches out to those in need, those that need to find a place to be, and through its service to others shows the traditions we hold faithfully are as relevant today as the new lexicon that has emerged in 2020. It is a blue sky within our midst that is a sanctuary for all. + Christopher 2 THE VERY REVEREND DR. ANTHONY CANE The Dean talks about friendship, human connections and pastoral care plus the challenges faced by the Cathedral I’ve spoken to a number of old friends this year, with whom I hadn’t been in touch with for a while. For many this has been one of the paradoxical effects of a period of enforced lockdown, as the importance of human connection and friendship has never seemed more important. It has been a challenge to us as a Cathedral community to retain that human connection and pastoral care, but we’ve done our best through a combination of tech- nologies old and new: from the telephone and the post, to daily on-line streaming of worship and ‘Zoom’ coffee mornings and quizzes. Lockdown was announced very close to the first anniversary of my installa- tion as Dean, and since then a further three months have passed. I’m so pleased to have had that first year to get to know people ‘in person’, and to have had the chance to renew our staff team. It has been a real pleasure to welcome Richard Abraham as our new Chief Operating Officer/Chapter Clerk, Kathryn Percival as Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean, and Sophie Henstridge-Brown as Head of Fundraising Events. They have all already made major contributions to the Cathedral’s work, along with our existing staff who have been magnificent through an extremely challenging time. You can read elsewhere about excellent work in music, learning, and other aspects of Cathedral life. It is also encouraging to be able to report im- portant progress in addressing the financial issues faced by the Cathedral, and to announce an exciting development in our worshipping life (with an extra service aimed at attracting new worshippers, especially younger ones). 3 It is also the case that much work has been done in renewing the Cathe- dral’s vision and strategy. Fortunately, a number of consultations about this were able to take place before lockdown, and we hope to finalise and pub- lish the strategy over the summer. It is important that we set out clearly what we are about as a Cathedral, and what we want to achieve over the next five years as our 2027 centenary heaves into view. The Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral know about the importance of human connection and friendship, and about supporting the mission and ministry of our Cathedral Church. Your friendship and support have never been more needed, as we slowly emerge into whatever post-lockdown life will prove to be like. Through this period, we have been praying and reflecting about the lessons to be learnt, and how to emerge with our life and work enhanced rather than diminished. By God’s grace, we look forward with hope and expectation to the year(s) ahead. With my prayers and best wishes. Anthony Cane 4 CAPTAIN ANDREW SLATER RN The Chairman reports on the key events of the Friends over the last year What strange times we live in. I had hoped to be able to report plenty of activity and encouraging news, but all has changed with the arrival of the Coro- navirus and the national lock-down on 23 March. A few days later I returned to England from Spain having already experienced self-isolation for two weeks but glad to be back. In fact, I had never seen the airports at Alicante and Gatwick so empty and although I had concerns about the train journey back to Hampshire, I found that I had a whole carriage to myself! Since then I have been locked away in the Meon Valley with only the odd venture into Fareham to stock up with essential supplies. Fortunately, I have a big garden and can take lots of walks normally without seeing a sole. The restrictions are now relaxing slowly but I fear the most difficult times are ahead and these are likely to continue for a long time until either the virus is overcome, or an effective vaccine has been developed. So, what about the Friends? Sadly, it became quickly obvious that the pro- gramme of visits planned for the Summer and the AGM would have to be post- poned or cancelled. This has meant that the visit to the Sandham Memorial Chapel and Highclere Castle was a definite non-starter and as time progressed it was clear that the pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral for a key Becket 2020 event would also have to be cancelled. This was very unfortunate but inevitable because of Government restrictions and the health and wellbeing of the mem- bers attending. Fortunately, Highclere Castle has been rebooked for April 2021 and Canterbury will depend on whether the Cathedral will rearrange the Beck- et events for next year. Full details of the confirmed visit for next year together with plans for other visits are listed on pages 12 and 13. We look forward to seeing many members joining us for some fascinating days out. The finances are in good order and we have been able to meet all request for Cathedral projects. Details of the accounts for 2019 can be found on Pages 34 5 and 35 and the balance at the end of the year of nearly £3,250.