A Day in The Life

This is a lenghty process as the verger needs to unset the alarms for various areas of the Cathedral. Then unlock all doors in 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 right back to the days of the medieval monks. The Dean and Canon’s gather in the atmosphericsetting of the Choir in the early morning light with five others to say Mattins according to the Book of Common Prayer.

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, 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 Jeremy Haselock, the Vice-Dean and Precentor, takes this service today. Held in the beauty of St. Luke’s Chapel, this service is where the congregation receives the bread and wine of the Eucharist. At this service the person of Christ is made truly present in bread and wine for the benefit of all people.

Beginning with the toilets the cleaner ensures all Cathedral facilities and the Refectory are up to standard for the days 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 begin to swing into operation. The activitoes of the office encompasses a huge range of fieldsincluding education, visitor services, marketting, 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. Led by the Headmaster and Chaplain thisis 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 days trading.

As the priest and congreagtion leave the verger cleans and stores away the precious chalice used in the service and prepares the vestments for the next Eucharist. All the service books are moved to the High Altar in readiness for the 12.30 Eucharist.

David Dunnett, Cathedral Organist, begins to practice for an organ recital he is giving the following day at 8pm. The Cathedral Visitors Officer is setting up the welcome desk and, as usual, grumbles that he cannot hear himself think!!

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 to the concert organisers wishes in front of the Nave Altar.

The shop opens its doors to sell its wide range of cards, books and gifts to tourist, pilgrim and local alike.