Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)

Subject: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 11:55 AM

I'll move this to BS if it heads in a non-music direction, but I am interested to know if any Mudcatters have sung in The Lincoln Cathedral and, if so, if you would please tell us about the experience. I watched a special on it on PBS the other night and have just had a look at the website. What an incredible place.

Another thing I read on their site is they have the first known written rhyme about Robin Hood. I had copied the info to paste, but lost it and cannot find where I read it, now. Sorry.:-) Their library alone must be a magnificent place to get lost in.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: GUEST,Pete Sumner
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:05 PM

I attended my daughter Lizzy's graduation there last year.....Plenty music and song...the sound was amazing...rising into that massive roof.
An inspiring experience..

As a footnote....
John Conolly, my musical buddy from Cleethorpes, whom you all know and love....wrote an excellent song 'Angels of Lincoln' about the gargoyles around the building and the stone carvers who produced them...

Cheers
Pete

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:24 PM

Good old John - what a treasure hidden away in North Lincolnshire is he. Are you getting together with him soon Pete?

I have been a few times to Lincoln Cathedral but never sung. It is indeed one of the treasures of Lincoln. Only about 15 miles from me.

I bet Sooz has sung there or even Gwed :-)

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:27 PM

And Whaley and Fletcher have recorded JC's excellent song.

I hope this stays in the music section.

NB Lincoln has a road called Steep Hill. Because it is, and the Cathedral is at the top end.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:32 PM

Hi,

I've sung there in Choral concerts a number of times and have attended concerts, organ recitals and services there. It is an awesome place and well worth a visit.

As to singing there - be warned - it's very cold, even in the middle of summer!. So, I've sung there looking very spick and span in my white blouse and long black skirt with thermals on underneath and that was in June!. From a choral singers point of view, you have to trust the conductor - the acoustic is such that you can't hear yourself or any of the other voice parts or the orchestra much. However, from the audience it sounds tremendous. It is a truly wonderful place to sing in.

The small cafe in the Cloisters area is well worth a visit and serves excellent food. I have to confess that I haven't been into the Library. The other "touristy" thing to do there is to look for the Lincoln Imp, high up in the nave.

Incidentally, just north of Lincoln in the village of Stow is Stow Minster, often said to have been built as a model for and as a smaller version of the cathedral.

The Cathedral was also used as a setting for scenes in The Da Vinci Code film.

If anyone remembers the group Amazing Blondel, they have written many pieces about Lincolnshire and Lincoln and their song "Celestial Light" on the Fantasia Lindum album is one of my all time favourites. (In one of their songs they sing "I was born in Lincoln County" which I had assumed meant "born in the county of Lincolnshire". Then I moved here and realised that they were referring to Lincoln County Hospital which is where the maternity unit is!).

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:33 PM

Heck, I took so long writing the above that Villan and Herga Kitty jumped in before me!

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:36 PM

Yes, BBP, but your contribution was still an extra, not a duplication!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 01:06 PM

Thanks! That's exactly the kind of info I was hoping for...enough clues to find out more and ready to *read/hear* more from you all, too.

I went looking for stuff by The Amazing Blondel and found a site which has seven of their albums to download: HERE. Cannot tell if they benefit or if they are even around to benefit. Do any of you know? I really want to hear Celestial Light, so I am downloading.

Thanks, again and please continue.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 01:12 PM

I forgot Deirdre, she is everywhere :-)

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 01:12 PM

OK, Whaley and Fletcher recorded Angels of Lincoln on Less Sprightly


http://www.whaleyfletcher.co.uk/

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 01:14 PM

You need to follow the discography link!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 01:22 PM

Lincolnshire is blessed with so many wonderful folk singers. We are lucky.

These wonderful singers can be heard on yellowbellies 1 and yellowbellies 2 and all payments go to a wonderful Charity - CLIC Sargent.

Link yellowbellies 2

Over £650 raised so far.

Sorry about the thread creep, but Lincolnshire doesn't get many chances to shout about itself. :-)

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: Sooz
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 02:19 PM

I only sang in the cathedral once. Someone had the bright idea that schools around the county should all send pupils to be part of a choir performing, amongst other things, bits of the Messiah. It was an awesome experience for our kids but stressful for those of us on crowd control. The toilet facilities were woefully inadequate.
Stow Minster was much more fun. AVarious perfomers from Gainsborough Folk Club sang at the Village Harvest Supper in it a few years ago. They even had a barrel of beer in one of the side chapels!

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: Banjiman
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 02:49 PM

Lincoln Cathedral what a lot of memories. My Dad (Peter Arrowsmith) used to play accordion for the Lincoln Morris Men and Folk Dancers in the late 60s/ early 70s. I have a fantastic picture of him looking very serious under his morris hat sat on the steps of the Cathedral playing while dancing took place on the green outside the west front. I have to confess to being a junior morris man in those days too.....see what forced tradition does to you, I grew up to be a banjoist!

My Sister also played in the Cathedral for the Lincolnshire Youth Orchestra on several occasions... I remember being extremely cold and bored but I was teenager.

The Imp and the legends surrounding it always fascinated me, interestingly this seems to have passed onto my own son and daughter though we live in North Yorkshire nowadays we do get back to see my mum pretty frequently. The kids ae always keen to visit the Cathedral.

Do you think I will ever be invited to play my banjo in the Cathedral?

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: SussexCarole
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 04:07 PM

My grandmother was born in a tiny house in the lanes under the tower of Lincoln Cathedral - for those who know the area in Halywells Passage. The houses have now been demolished and when I visited, the passage led to a small area of waste land where the house once stood. I am/was a churchbell ringer and have been privileged to ring the bells at Lincoln Cathedral.

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 04:58 PM

Kat,

Find Amazing Blondel on MySpace - I'd mentioned them in my blurb on my MySpace bit and THEY asked me to be a friend - wow! It comes to something when your heroes find you.....!!

I'm not sure what they are doing at the moment - up to a few years ago they were doing gigs, at least around the Lincolnshire area. I booked them for our local Arts Centre when I worked there.

I first came across their music when I was going to college in the late 70's and a mate made me a few cassettes of music (AB, Steeleye Span) to take with me. The Amazing Blondel contribution was Fantasia Lindum. It just about saw me through college - it got a fair bit of playing, especially during the exams as it was so relaxing. I was therefore blown away about 10 years ago when they reformed and started gigging again locally. So I now have a few other CDs to accompany Fantasia and, as I mentioned in my earlier post, some of the songs have now taken on a completely different meaning!.

Another snippet regarding the Cathedral - a few years ago there was a programme on TV about the cathedral and the renovation work being undertaken on it. One of the stonemasons was interviewed about the work being done on a frieze over the west door. He said that one of the panels depicted the punishment for sodomy. The interviewer then asked "And what is the punishment for sodomy?". The stonemason obviously didn't know so came back with the answer "More sodomy"!. As he said it, you could see the panic in his eyes as he realised what he was saying but he just couldn't stop himself. I'll never forget that clip!.

I visited the Cathedral on 6th August 2005 to see the sets being built for The Da Vinci Code. When I arrived I was told that the main nave of the Cathedral was closed as there was a service in progress - The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta in England and Wales and Provinces Overseas were holding their Great Priory Family Service. This group is of course better known to most of us as The Order of St. John / Knights Templar / St. John Ambulance Brigade etc.. I, and many other people, went into the cafe for a while until the service finished and we could enter the Cathedral. We went in and watched the knights process out. There must have been over 300 of them in their robes and cloaks with various insignia and from many countries. It was quite a sight.

Another visitor then asked me what it was all about. I explained that it was The Order of St. John - blank expression. I mentioned the Knights Templar - also a blank expression, - the Crusades in the 11th Century? - Nope, still a blank expression. By this time a small crowd had gathered, obviously enjoying the explanation. I looked at the visitor - male, mid twenties, possibly of Arab / Asian extraction - no rucksack or anything suspicious, so I took a deep breath, explained that the Crusades were undertaken to win the Holy Land back from the Infidel and waited for his reaction. "Oh, right" he said, still looking puzzled, and off he went. The rest of the crowd just grinned and laughed and then moved off to view the sights. WHY ME???!

I kept a copy of the Order of Service from that day as a memento.

If I think of anything else, I'll come back to you.

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 05:05 PM

Just had a thought - perhaps the punishment for sodomy should be listening to Banjiman on the banjo - sorry - didn't mean it mate, honest!.

Best wishes to you and Wendy, please come and visit us again soon, with the banjo!

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 05:15 PM

Deirdre I do'nt think Amazing Blondel were refering to the County Hospital I think your original assumption is the right one

Gerry

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: Banjiman
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 06:32 PM

Busy Bee......Cruel but funny!

Which end of the banjo were you suggesting for sodomy? Having discussed it with Wendy we reckon either would make your eyes water!

We will return to Gainsborough...with the banjo! I will not be put off in my mission so easily.

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 08:17 PM

Great stuff, all!

Deirdre...that must've been an incredible sight; it's that kind of continuity of history that we don't quite have over here. I love it.

I will check AB on myspace. Thanks! That's really neat they asked you to be a "friend."

Thank you, everyone, for your sharing. I love this kind of stuff and consider it some of the best of Mudcat..banjos and all!**BG** (Kidding, my dad played banjo, too!)

All the best,

kat

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 10:13 PM

Found AB on myspace! Listening now. LOVE it!!

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 04:24 AM

Kat,

I've also sent the AB guys a message asking for an update on what they are doing now. Will PM you with any info.

Gerry - re. Lincoln County - it makes me smile whichever version is correct. I don't think I'll ask them about it, I'd prefer not to know which is the official version!.

Banji & Wendy - it's great you have such a good sense of humour - well let's face it - to play the banjo you need one!! Come back soon!.

:-)

Kat - if you get to the UK, put Lincoln on your itinerary. We're very hospitable up here in the backwoods and will make sure we find you a billet.

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: GUEST,edthefolkie
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 06:58 AM

The Ric Sanders group recorded an album in the Cathedral not long ago - guest musician Rick Wakeman!

Katlaughing, if you get over the pond to visit Lincoln, make sure you have a look at Southwell Minster (Notts) too - it's only round the corner by US standards and is amazing. In the Chapter House there are 700 year old carvings you can look at really closely, including tiny pigs hidden under oak leaves, eating acorns. Brings Robin Hood's Sherwood to life. First saw the place on a school trip when I was about 10, hooked for life.

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 09:39 AM

Thank you so much, Deirdre! You, too, edthefolkie. The little pigs sound darling. I've heard I should also see York Minster.

If I ever get across there I think I shall have to spend a year just to see all of the wonderful places i have learned of on Mudcat and, of course, to meet all of you!

Thanks, again, folks. This thread continues to be of great interest and fun.

kat

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: Flash Company
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 10:15 AM

Hi kat... Yes, York is great, as is Lincoln and Gloucester, come to that.
S & I stayed in Lincoln with our friend Evelyn from Northants in a holiday let at the bottom of Steep Hill, and boy, is it steep!
A further reccomendation for Lincoln, It's the first place I have been to where they have knocked down a multi-storey car park to build a museum!
I am still trying to get to Canterbury,and Ely again, the last time I went it was covered in scaffolding.

Brian Q

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 11:58 AM

Yes Brian, it was a horrible carpark and is now a very nice museum.

We've even done a Folk afternoon there which was fun!.

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: GUEST,Gordon Tyrrall
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 04:03 PM

I played the flute in Lincoln Cathedral many years ago.Sublime acoustics of course.It was some sort of festival - I remember the Salami Brothers were on and Richie kept sending his diabolo thingy higher and higher until he surpassed himself and it came crashing into the pews.I suppose a diabolo,if it had sentience,would want to cause destruction in a cathedral.

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: bill\sables
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 05:12 AM

I used to work for Yorkshire Television and in the late seventies we televised the Christmas church service from Lincoln Cathedral with the usual brass bands and choirs. The king of some Scandanavian country had sent his usual gift of a sixty foot Christmas tree to decorate the church and the television company got the job of decorating the tree. Fork lift trucks and ladders were used by the props department and after about two days the tree was finished. When the director arrived to set up the shots he decided that the tree was about six feet too tall and could it be lowered. Television carpenters lead by their foreman, were called in to lower the tree. Now anyone with any sense would have lowered the tree and cut six feet off the bottom, not the television carpenters, the dozey buggers went up on the fork lift truck and cut six feet off the top of the tree so it had a flat top instead of a pointy one. The director, the Dean of Lincoln, and even the King of wherever it was were furious. But that is why the tree had a flat top that year and Yorkshire Television were never asked back to televise the Lincoln Christmas service again.

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 06:53 AM

I passed up on the chance to go and sing there nearly a year ago when they were filming Songs of Praise for Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. I spotted quite a few faces I recognised when the programmes went out. The audience didn't change dress or position - they just changed the floral arrangements to make it look different.

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Sep 07 - 06:46 PM

Pete!!

It's Ian here! Used to work for you in the workshop in Grimsby!
Happy days they were!Drinking tea and listening to the dulcet tones oF Jane Jones on Classic FM!

Been trying to track you down for years!
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Sep 07 - 07:02 PM

Well, how kewl is that! Mudcat reunites, again!

Subject: RE: Lincoln Cathedral -singing, history, etc (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 May 16 - 09:06 PM

I used to live near Lincoln and I knew the cathedral well, although I never sang in it. I was in a choir which was going to sing Berlioz Requiem there, but I fell ill shortly before the concert and couldn't do it. I once went to a sung evensong in Lincoln cathedral after I'd moved away from the area and had briefly revisited it while on a coach tour. The choir sang Allegri's Miserere and we were all in floods of tears (even many of the men in our group!) as those pure, clear choirboy high Cs soared into the heights of the roof in the dim evening light. I've been a member of many choirs and choral societies all over the country. I used to live in Peterborough and sang for 13 years in Peterborough cathedral and I now live in Winchester and I've sung in Winchester cathedral for 20 years.