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The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in a number of creative ways across the Diocese over the Bank Holiday weekend
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in a number of creative ways across the Diocese.
The Bank Holiday weekend kicked off at Nottingham Cathedral with a spectacular musical celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s extraordinary reign. The sell-out event, saw over 500 attendees gather at the Cathedral, including a number of civic dignitaries and ecumenical guests from across the City and County. Sir John Peace, the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire and Her Majesty’s representative in the County was also in attendance. It was a joy to see the Cathedral so full and it certainly added to the conviviality of the celebrations.
Opening with a stunning performance of Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’ the combined choirs, organist and orchestra set the tone and standard for the evening. Mozart’s Coronation Mass followed and then a number of pieces from Byrd, Elgar and Parry filled the second half of the evening. The folk song set piece by Nottingham Cathedral’s Girls and Boys Choir was especially enjoyed by those in attendance.
The evening was blessed with fine weather, enabling attendings to enjoy a glass of fizz in the beautiful Cathedral gardens during the interval. A collection was taken during the interval for Emmanuel House, a local homeless charity with strong connections to the Catholic community here in Nottingham, and over £1000 was raised.
A significant number of attendees had never visited the Cathedral before, and it was great to be able to welcome them to this celebration. On Twitter the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Wendy Smith, thanked the Cathedral for this ‘magnificent ecumenical concert’ and added that ‘the delightful children’s choir made a perfect evening.’ Nottingham’s High Sherriff, Paul Southby, also commented on a ‘lovely musical celebration’ and showcased ‘a fine example of bunting handmade by local schoolchildren’ on his Twitter account. Those attending commented on how uplifting the concert had been and how it had really put the Cathedral on the map.
"The whole evening was amazing , helped by the wonderful acoustics in the Cathedral. All the choirs were excellent. The children’s choir sang beautifully."
"I thought it was absolutely marvellous."
"It was fabulous!"
"The staff at the Cathedral were incredibly welcoming and friendly"
"More of this please!"
"Just a big thankyou for an uplifting concert."
A special thanks to Mr Gregory Treloar Director of Music, Nottingham Cathedral Choir and the Girls and Boys Choirs, Derby Cathedral Lay Clerks, Mr Alexander Binns Organist and The Helix Ensemble. And a big thank you to those who sponsored the evening which would not have been possible without this support: The Friends of Nottingham Cathedral, DJ Hall Funeral Directors, A.W. Lymn’s Funeral Directors, The Knights of St Columba and the parishes of St Joseph’s Leicester, Holy Spirit West Bridgford and The Good Shepherd, Woodthorpe.
Around the Diocese
The Cathedral was not the only parish hosting jubilee celebrations this weekend.
Over in Eastwood, in the parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel, more than 140 people gathered after Sunday Mass for a parish party to mark the Jubilee. The event featured a shared table and a special ‘Platinum Punch’ to toast the Queen. The choir entertained guests with favourite songs and the children created the bunting for the parish hall. Read more...
In Woodthorpe, in the parish of The Good Shepherd, a magnificent display of a floral ‘Crown of Crowns’ took centre stage for their Jubilee celebrations. This creative endeavour was a collaboration between the parish Flower Guild and the Children’s Liturgy groups. Over 100 jubilee crowns were decorated, and these were put together to create a beautiful ‘Crown of Crowns’. The flowers were then sold after the Sunday Masses with all proceeds going to support the parish’s First Holy Communion celebrations later this month.
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