THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN EXETER THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN EXETER
To maintain the worship and other activities in and around the Cathedral, the paid staff receive the help and support of a large number of voluntary workers. Some of these are regular members of the congregation, but others come from all over the Diocese and beyond to make their contribution. If you would like to help, the representatives of the groups may be contacted through the Cathedral Office or as shown below. The groups are listed below in alphabetical order.
The Cathedral Office is at 1 The Cloisters, Exeter, EX1 1HS, Tel: 01392 255573 Fax: 01392 285986
The Bellringers have their own page. Click here to go to it.
A small group meets regularly to make notices for the Cathedral.
The Cathedral Dusters, known as the "Holy Dusters", are a voluntary group of fifteen ladies and one gentleman, all young in spirit if not so young in body, who assist the Virgers with light dusting, cleaning and polishing in the Cathedral.
Each Duster is allotted an area, aisle, nave, quire or chapel for which they are responsible on a weekly basis at a personally convenient time. A "get together" is organised once or twice a year. New volunteers are always welcome by this loyal and cheerful band of workers.
Except in Advent and Lent, flowers are arranged in the nave, quire and Lady Chapel of the Cathedral throughout the year, with additional pedestals at major festivals and, when requested, for weddings.
On Maundy Thursday an altar under the screen between the nave and quire is surrounded by flowers and foliage and is used as the Altar of Repose from the evening Sung Eucharist until midnight.
At the annual general meeting in November a yearly rota is drawn up with arrangers usually doing the flowers once a year for two consecutive weeks. Assistance towards the cost of the arrangements is provided from the Cathedral Flower Fund.
The group is always pleased to welcome anyone with an interest in flowers and their arrangement.
The Project is recording the Ledger Stones i.e. inscribed floor slabs, of which there are a good number, some of mediaeval origin, in the Cathedral.
Although confined to limited areas at present, the work will be extended throughout the Cathedral in due course.
The method of recording consists of a combination of professional photography, rubbings using a specially developed oil and carbon technique, and detailed observations and measurements to be stored on computer.
The Project has thrown up queries of an historical nature concerning the subjects of the memorials and the history of the Stones themselves which requires detailed library research.
The Cathedral Servers, referred to in the Statutes as Serving Clerks (nowadays men, women, boys and girls), assist in the worship of the Cathedral by performing specific duties in the services. They include the crucifer who carries the processional cross, the taperers who carry candles in procession and the thurifer who, at some services, carries and swings the thurible emitting incense.
They take it in turns to serve at the Sunday services, weekday Eucharists, and the various special services throughout the year.
Informal meetings and practices are arranged from time to time and the Servers are always pleased to welcome newcomers, including students who may be in Exeter during term-time only.
Previous serving experience is not essential as all the necessary training will be given. The level of commitment and number of duties undertaken is up to each individual.
The team of sidesmen comprising both men and ladies with a ministry of liturgical welcome are on duty for all Sunday, Weekday and the many special Services which take place throughout the year.
In addition to these duties they have a key responsibility to act as stewards at the numerous concerts which take place in the Cathedral.
A Job Description clearly defines the importance of the role with membership restricted to those applicants able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Cathedral and a willingness to carry out duties within a team framework.
Visitors to the Cathedral are welcomed on weekdays by a group of five or six stewards from a pool of some 140 volunteers, some of whom are trained guides.
A daily rota operates Monday to Saturday, divided into three sessions: 10a.m.to 12.30p.m., 12.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. The majority of stewards are on duty once a week.
Stewards' Days are held each year together with an annual outing. Other activities such as lectures and slide presentations are arranged periodically. These gatherings form an important part of the Cathedral life of Stewards, and foster friendship and a good working atmosphere. If you would like further information please contact the Visitors' Officer.
Exeter Cathedral: Its Life and Work is an illustrated talk available to parishes and other organisations, such as Women's Institutes, at their own meeting places. For further information please contact The Visitors' Officer.
The Company of Tapisers exists to assist the Dean and Chapter in the ornamentation of the Cathedral.
There are four branches:
Canvas Work
This group, numbering about forty five members, meets weekly in the Deanery and work is also done at home.
They make kneelers and cushions. Their most notable achievement was the rondels, which are cushions extending down both walls of the nave depicting scenes from the history of England, Exeter, and the Cathedral.
Tuition can be given if required.
White Work
These volunteers work at home to make and embroider Altar linen.
Textiles
This branch meets monthly in the Cloister Garth Room, and members also Work at home to make and repair altar frontals, banners, stoles and vestments.
Rope Makers
This group has been so successful it is at present in abeyance.
The Voluntary Choir (founded in 1881) consists of about thirty ladies and gentlemen who sing at the Evening Service at 6.30 p.m. on Sundays, Eucharist and other services during Cathedral Choir holidays, and on occasions such as the Festival for Choirs affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music.
Rehearsals are held on Friday and Sunday evenings.
Membership is open to all subject to vacancies and audition, and anyone interested should contact the Organist.
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