Winchester Cathedral ….
It was an icy day in late March, several years ago….. Liz and I had decided to visit the ‘newly offered’ tower tour at Winchester Cathedral…… you possibly know it as the final resting place of Jane Austen.
Anyway, using our ‘press pass’, we announced ourselves at the cathedrals reception desk and waited for our escort to arrive.
Shaking hands with her, we were led to a small door in the corner of the nave. It was unlocked with a massive iron key…. Possibly the original, therefore 900 years old…. And up we went….
I love doing cathedral tower tours, having been the first guide to lead groups up onto York Minsters roof and tower, likewise, Salisbury, Canterbury and Wells, I’m privelaged to have been invited to see so many……. AND to have then been able to offer these adventures to my tour groups, has been very exciting. Canterbury Cathedrals was the most impressive. I has become friendly with a specialist in the cathedrals stain glass workshop, and, in conversation, she had mentioned how the cathedral authorities would have to let a few people into and onto the buildings roof space, whilst the renovations were taking place….. It was a part of their grant funding agreement….. I immediately went to speak with the authorities and, suffice to say, My groups and Rick Steves groups are still allowed to visit today.
Anyway, Liz and I followed our escort out into the bell ringing chamber. A fascinating example!!! It was wonderful to be regaled with tales of previous bell ringers/campanologists, hailing back through previous centuries. They were very clearly treated as ‘heroes’ by the church.
Up we went, higher still, and right up into the bell tower itself…. Surrounded by the oldest surviving wooden bell frame in Britain (1730s) AND the bells. Here we learnt more about the people who lived and worked in the cathedral.
Then our final ascent……. Right up onto the roof of the church.!!!!
It was cold….. bloody cold … but so worth the climb.
Our view over the ancient city of Winchester was fantastic.
I always try to put myself back into the mists of time, and try to imagine being the lead worker, carpenter or mason, at the time the cathedral was built……. What was my life like?
Put it on your list of things to do …… And ascend the steps through time!