Newport Cathedral Emergency Campaign 2010

The new Glamorgan Cricket Captain Mark Wallace will be among the cast of celebrity readers at the now annual gala evening of Christmas music and readings at the Cathedral on Thursday, November 24th.

From Aberagvenny, 30 year old Mark is a left-handed batsman and wicket keeper.In September 1999, he made his bow in first class criket appearing in the County Championship Game against Somerset at the age of 17 years and 287 days - thus making him Glamorgan’s youngest ever Championship wicket-keeper. Wallace took five catches in the match, and scored 28 from number nine in the first innings, and this was enough for him to keep his county place for the rest of the season. In an innings victory over Yorkshire he made his first half-century: 64 not out, again batting at number nine.

After appearing in the Under 19 World Cup in the winter, Mark played no first-team county cricket for the first half of the season, concentrating on his A Levels but in August was appointed captain of the U-19s for a one-day series against Sri Lanka though was unable to take up his appointment because of an injury to his hand. He did, however, recover in time to appear for Glamorgan near the end of the season.

He has continued to be Glamorgan’s first choice wicket-keeper in all forms of the game and captained the county for the first time against Somerset at Taunton on 30 August 2007. In 2008 Wallace was named the clubs one-day player of the year and supporters player of the year with his most memorable performance being a match winning score of 48 off just 17 balls against Leicestershire in the Pro40 competition at Colwyn Bay.

Wallace holds the record for the most first-class centuries by a Glamorgan wicket-keeper (8) with his highest score of 139 coming in the final game of the 2009 season against Surrey at the Oval.

Tickets for the evening include a Champagne Reception and can be purchased from the cathedral shop or by telephone on 01633212077. The proceeds for the evening will go towards the continuing restoration of the Cathedral, the cost of which is estimated at £2.5 million

David Morgan OBE DL the organiser of Knightsbridge comes to St Woolos , has been made an Hon Fellow of the University of Wales, Newport. He joins our Chapter Treasurer John Sexton

The incoming Dean of Newport Cathedral, Canon Jeremy Winston, has this week lent his support to the roof restoration fund by purchasing some new tiles needed to replace the old roof tiles , as part of the work on the Cathedral Roof.

 The present work on the northern half of the roof is nearing the half way point, and is expected to be completed in October.

 If you would like to join Canon Winston in buying a new tile you can do so for 5 per tile. Tiles will be on sale At the cathedral during it’s Festival of Welcome from July 2nd - 9th or be telephoning the cathedral on (01633) 212077

SW Argus has a look at the work being undertaken by Instaat on the Cathedral Roof beams

Newport students team up with Cathedral
Students from the University of Wales, Newport are working with Newport cathedral to showcase their work and help to improve the look of the building while repair work takes place.
Final year Documentary

Creative Newport Students team up with Newport Cathedral

Photography student Tom Bond is exhibiting photos from modern day Bethlehem following a trip to the holy land during the Christmas period. Tom, a former Student Union President, accompanied a group of Creative Therapies in Education students from the university on their visit to Bethlehem last December. While the others worked at the SOS Children’s Village and School in Bethlehem, Tom took photographs which record life in modern day Bethlehem, from the shadow of the ‘security wall’ to orphaned children at play his exhibition – Bethlehem Today - records the lives of Palestinian children, ravaged by poverty and war.
University Chaplain & Cathedral spokesman Fr Mark Soady said, “ It is great to have this collaboration between the Cathedral and the University, but it is also good that in the place where  we worship the babe of Bethlehem / the Prince of Peace it is good to remember that the Holy City today is a place of torment”.
The photos are displayed on the boards that have been put up to protect the Norman Archway and the ancient font while work on the building is carried out. As well as Tom’s work, 1st and 2nd year Fine Art students from the University have been commissioned to paint a number of pieces of work on to the external hoardings. These pieces, which depict the story of How Woolos came to found a church on this site, will be auctioned for the Cathedral Restoration Fund,  once the work is completed later this year.

The University of Wales, Newport is part of the University of Wales Alliance which also includes the University of Wales; Swansea Metropolitan University; University of Wales Institute Cardiff, (UWIC); Glyndŵr University and the University of Wales Trinity St David. The University of Wales Alliance aims to enrich and enhance Higher Education in Wales.

University of Wales Newport final year documentary photography student Tom Bond has an exhibition of photos form modern day Bethlehem on display in the Cathedral.

Tom, a former Student Union President, accompanied some art therapy student’s from the university on their visit to Bethlehem last December. While the others worked at the SOS Children’s Village and School in Bethlehem, Tom took photographs which record life in modern day Bethlehem, from the shadow of the ‘security wall’ to orphaned children at play he records Palestinian children whose lives have been ravaged by poverty and war.

Alongside Tom’s photos is a blog of his visit.

University Chaplain & Cathedral spokesman Fr Mark Soady said, “ It is great to have this collaboration between the Cathedral and the University, but it is also good that in the place where  we worship the babe of Bethlehem / the Prince of Peace it is good to remember that the Holy City today is a place of torment”.

The photos are displayed on the boards that have been put up to protect the Norma Archway and the ancient font while work on the building is carried out.

Td/Fr Mark Soady
Caplan/Chaplain
Pryfysgol Cymru, Casnewydd/ University of Wales. Newport
Mobile/Symudol 07968 753978
Rhif Union/Direct Line: 01633 432905

New Dean of Newport Cathedral - The Revd Canon Jeremy Hugh Winston, BA, BEd

New Dean for Newport Cathedral

 The Revd Canon Jeremy Hugh Winston, BA, BEd, is to be the new Dean of Newport Cathedral in the Diocese of Monmouth. Currently Vicar of Abergavenny, he will be installed in the cathedral on Saturday 10th September.

Announcing the appointment, the Bishop of Monmouth, Rt Revd Dominic Walker OGS said:
“Canon Jeremy Winston is a senior and experienced priest who will bring many gifts in serving as Dean of Newport Cathedral. He is aware of the need for the church to reach out into the community it serves and of the need to preserve the building for future generations. I know that he will work tirelessly to strengthen the Cathedral as the Mother Church of the diocese and to make it a place of prayer and welcome.”

Canon Winston says:
“I very much look forward to belonging to a community of Christian people at Newport Cathedral, serving at the heart of the city and as the focus of the Diocese of Monmouth. I hope we shall be able to build on the efforts of our predecessors in developing the witness of the Cathedral, in caring for the wider community, and as a place of welcome for all.
 I am well aware of the challenges facing both the city and diocese – challenges which will require a great deal of prayer and the rolling up of sleeves.
 Leaving the Abergavenny parishes after eighteen years is bound to prove difficult – we have worked together extremely well and seen so many great achievements. It has been a unique privilege to serve in one of the most wonderful communities in Wales.  I believe that the next Vicar will be richly blessed by the people there.”

Canon Winston’s appointment follows the resignation of the present Dean, the Very Revd Dr Richard David Fenwick, who is to be consecrated as Bishop of the Diocese of St Helena (in the South Atlantic) on 7th May 2011.

Born into an old Monmouthshire family in 1954, Canon Winston grew up in Griffithstown. He trained as a teacher at Trinity College, Camarthen. He then went to theological college at St Stephen’s House, Oxford, and was ordained in 1979. He served as Curate in Basseleg before becoming Vicar of St Arvan’s in 1983. In 1993 he moved to become Vicar of St Mary’s, Abergavenny and in 2002 took on the wider responsibility of Area Dean for all the parishes in the Abergavenny area.

Under Canon Winston’s leadership, the church has developed close links with the town of Abergavenny and its wider community. St Mary’s church building has undergone major restoration including the development of the Priory Centre and the neighbouring Tithe Barn.

He was installed as a Canon of the Cathedral in 2002
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Newport , Cllr  Bill Langsford , welcomes the appointment of a new Dean for the Cathedral:

 “I am pleased to add my congratulations to Canon Winston on his appointment as Dean.
He takes up his post at an interesting time in the life of the Cathedral. His experience in the restoration and redevelopment of St Marys’ Priory Church,  Abergavenny will be invaluable, as he takes on the responsibility of  the repair of the Cathedral Church of St Woolos. I understand, Canon Winston brings with him many gifts, not least his experience of being involved in all aspects of the life of the town of Abergavenny which will help develop the Cathedral’s role at the heart of the community in the City of Newport.

May I also make reference to the excellent work done by his predecessor Dean Richard Fenwick and wish him well in his new role as Bishop of St Helena.”

Over the last 4 years I have visited the Cathedral no less than 3 times, each time having observed with some concern the slow and steady decline in the condition of the roof timbers and slates – I am glad that work at last has started to replace these.

It would not have been possible to start the restoration of this historic building, had it not been for the hard work put in by members of the Cathedral campaign Committee, the generosity of individual donors, and the provision of large sums from grant-giving bodies. We are also grateful for the financial support given us by CADW.

I hope to be able to visit soon after the work has been completed and see that an excellent job has been done in bringing this fine building to play an even greater role in the community.

Newport Cathedral is pleased to announce that Instats will undertake the work on the Cathedral roof. Previously the firm was called GPS and was responsible for the work on the Cathedral’s South porch (Phase 1 of the restoration) in 2009.

The scaffolding will go up during the week commencing February 14th and work proper will begin two weeks later.

The Contractors added: “Instaat Projects Ltd are proud to be associated with St.Woolos Cathedral, and, as a Newport based company, we are thrilled to have been appointed Principal Contractor for this prestigious project. We are relieved that, after years of planning and fundraising, the works, which will secure the future of the cathedral for future generations, is finally able to proceed. We look forward to working with the cathedral administrators and projects designers on this exciting scheme.”

Following a request from  those firms tendering for work on the cathedral roof , and because of the recent bad weather the cathedral authorities have put back the tender closing date by two week to January 7th.

A decision on who will undertake the work will be made in early in the week following January 7th.

Commenting on the decision Cathedral Administrator Brian Cox said, “What is two weeks after  we have waited nearly 5 years. It is worth waiting a couple of weeks to be sure we get the right people to do the job”.