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Coventry Cathedral

Dear Reader

We were shown around Coventry Cathedral by Martina, a German Roman Catholic woman who has lived in Coventry for five years. She was an excellent guide and obviously loves the Cathedral and what it stands for very much.

It is a place to reflect on and pray for peace and reconciliation. It is a place of hope. It remembers the past and looks to the future.

The new Cathedral was built next to the ruins of the old Cathedral which was damaged beyond repair in World War 2. It is a testament to those who had the vision for its future and to Sir Basil Spence who was the architect.

This is my favourite picture of the Chapel of Reconciliation.


There are many other lovely areas in the Cathedral which I will just add as pictures, at least for now. 

























This door knob is named Annabel. 



Martina with one of the hand stitched kneelers, especially for Heather Thomas.


The pennies are set into the floor, around 172 if I remember correctly, and tell you how far apart to be in the procession. 






David appears to have a wee friend in the organ box with me. It seemed more a box than a loft. 


No one could explain to us why there was a blue chair in the middle of the row.


 The Crown of Thorns above the Quire, heading to the Cathedra






The font is a three ton rock from the hills above Bethlehem. The shell to represent St James/Santiago de Compostella is carved into the stone, and represents the beginning of the Christian pilgrimage at baptism. 



The Queen’s bum also sat on this chair.




These words were very helpful.

 In a side chapel









Each of the continents is featured in this chapel, also with a focus on reconciliation.

 This chapel is also used for meetings I think, but is not a Chapter House. It was quite chilly.



 The Charred Cross


The Stalingrad Madonna



Praying for Australia and those I love at home


The Coverdale Bible


Britten’s original score of the War Requiem with his comments in the margins below.








A full moon over the Cathedral 


On Saturday the Cathedral became an all age play and creative space.


Cxx


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