Rock-On in the Nave

It seems that a number of businesses and organisations have to “diversify” in order to survive financially or to raise funds for basic up-keep and maintenance.  Places of worship are increasingly part of this trend and earlier in the year Canterbury Cathedral’s ‘Rave in the Nave’ attracted both praise and criticism.  The event was a “Silent Disco” - one of many being held in cathedrals up and down the country and billed as a chance to “have fun” in “special places” without necessarily causing a noisy disruption — and to raise money for their upkeep.

Last weekend my sister and I enjoyed an evening of “80s Anthems by Candlelight at Worcester Cathedral”.  In all honesty, I had thought it was going to be an orchestral rendition of hits from the 80’s - Bon Jovi, Prince, George Michael, Wham, a-ha,  Journey, Fleetwood Mac, Erasure, Queen, Madonna, Witney Houston, Simple Minds et al, however, it was a much louder affair with a full band - bass and lead guitars, saxophonist, drums, keyboard, and three singers.  It was great fun with many people dancing and singing in the aisles.  Ali and I had a good sing-along and enjoyed people-watching too!

Personally I thought the event was well-organised and mindful of its surroundings, was professionally produced and appeared to be respected by all in the audience.

Here's the touristy bit:

Worcester Cathedral has been a place of Christian worship and prayer for fourteen centuries. The present building was begun in 1084.  It encompasses every style of English architecture from the Norman Crypt built in 1084 through to Perpendicular Gothic (built in the 1500s).  The Cathedral also houses two royal burials - King John (died 1216) and Prince Arthur Tudor (died 1502).  Containing over 20,000 documents, there has been a library at Worcester Cathedral since Anglo-Saxon times

Worcester Cathedral has 42 misericords.  These hinged oak seats tip up to form a ledge on which the monks could lean for support while standing for long periods during services.  Thirty-nine of these seats date from the 14th century and show a variety of images from the bible, mythology and folklaw, featuring many fantastic animals and a complete set of the Labours of the Months.  The word misericord comes from the Latin misericordia, meaning pity or mercy.

There are a number of notable people associated with the Cathedral, such as:

• St Oswald (died 992),
• St Wulfstan (c1008 - 1095),
• Edward Winslow (1595 - 1655), a Pilgrim Father and Mayflower passenger who became Colonial Governor in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts,
• Stanley Baldwin, three times prime minister of the UK,
  

​and more recently:

Sir Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934), the English composer was born at Lower Broadheath just outside Worcester and lived much of his life in the county and composed pieces for the Three Choirs Festival.

A memorial plaque and the Elgar Memorial Window can be seen in the North Nave Aisle. Designed by Archibald Keightley Nicholson, the window depicts Elgar's 'The Dream of Gerontius'. The composer's baton and autograph are also on display in the Library.
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​Have a look at: Home | Worcester Cathedral

Also see the following websites for reports and  views about this type of events in churches:

• Canterbury Cathedral defends decision to host silent disco - BBC News
• Canterbury Cathedral's 'rave in the nave' is indefensible | The Spectator
• Canterbury Cathedral’s ‘rave in the nave’: sacrilege or harmless fun? (telegraph.co.uk)
• Christians protest at silent disco in Canterbury Cathedral (telegraph.co.uk)
• Canterbury Cathedral is hosting silent discos. Not everyone is happy | CNN

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