A Day in The Life

This is a lengthy process as the verger needs to unset the alarms for various areas of the Cathedral. He then unlocks all doors in the Cathedral, Cloister and Refectory. In addition the verger unlocks the great medieval Erpingham Gate which leads out of the Cathedral Close into the city. Some of the keys used are very large and very ancient.

The custom of gathering in the early morning for prayer stretches unbroken back to the days of the medieval monks. The Dean and Canons gather in the atmospheric setting of the Choir in the early morning light with five others to say the service of Morning Prayer according to the Book of Common Prayer.

More information about Morning Prayer is available in our Worship section.

All the Cathedral bells are controlled electronically. The Cathedral tower was never designed to take bells; in the middle ages the monastery bells were housed in a, now destroyed, bell tower in the Close. A single bell tolls for minor services but all six bells peal out a carillon for major services.

This quiet service lasts about twenty minutes.

The verger again sounds the single bell to call the faithful to prayer.

Rev. Canon Peter Doll, the Canon Librarian, takes this service today. It is held in the beauty of St. Luke’s Chapel.

More information about the service of Holy Communion is available in our Worship section.

Beginning with the toilets the cleaner ensures that all Cathedral facilities and the Refectory and Hostry are up to standard for the day's visitors.

The staff of the Refectory get an early start to bake cakes and scones and prepare sandwiches for Cathedral visitors.

The men and women who work beind the scenes in the Cathedral office and Hostry Visitor and Education centre begin to swing into operation. Their activities encompass a huge range of fields including education, visitor services, marketing, running conferences and other events, finance, health and safety and administering the 120 ancient properties in the Cathedral Close.

Over 600 pupils from Norwich School, the school in the Close, gather for assembly during term time. Led by the Headmaster and Chaplain this is a traditional assembly with pupil input, notices , hymns and prayers.

The staff of the shop begin to pack electronic orders made the day before and clean and prepare the gift shop for another day's trading.

As the clergy and congregation leave the verger cleans and stores away the precious chalice used in the service and prepares the vestments for the next service. All the service books are moved to the High Altar in readiness for the 12.30 Holy Communion.

David Dunnett, the Cathedral Organist, begins to practice for an organ recital he is giving the following day at 8pm.

The candles are left alight on the Nave Altar all day to remind visitors that the Cathedral is a living Church always preparing for the next act of worship.

As soon as the Assembly finishes the vergers begin preparing a three tier stage for a concert that evening. The pieces are wheeled out on trolleys from the vergers' storeroom and assembled in front of the Nave Altar in accordance with the concert organisers' wishes .

The Gift Shop opens its doors to sell its wide range of cards, books and gifts to tourists, pilgrims and locals alike.