Trust visit to Chichester - TrustNews Sept 14
We could not have wished for better weather for our visit to Chichester. This took place on Thursday 26 June. Our group of twelve arrived by various means, meeting at the eighteenth century Council House in North Street (begun and completed in 1731). We entered through the undercroft and made our way to the first floor Council Chamber where we were welcomed with coffee and refreshments. Richard Childs, Chairman of The Chichester Society, addressed us warmly and introduced The Mayor of The City Council, John Hughes, who described the elegant and beautiful Council Chamber, restored in 1976. It was obvious to us all that he was very proud of his city and was keen to show it to all.
He handed over to Rodney Duggua, Clerk to The Council, who gave us detailed exposition of the various functions and hierarchies of the organisations, in particular detailing the differing responsibilities between the City, The District and County Councils and how at times this can be very confusing for those seeking decisions. He also talked further about the room in which we sat. The decorative plaster ceiling had been restored by the Council as had the beautiful glass chandelier which suffered bomb damage during WW2 but fortunately was still in place. His talk was peppered with amusing asides relating to his long career with the Council. The Mayor was keen to show us the Mayor's Parlour on the floor above and we were delighted to view this room above the Council Chamber.
The next part of the programme involved a tour of the City Walls. Two groups of six were led by Cllr Anne Scicluna and a Chichester City Guide. Making our down North Street towards The Cathedral, we stopped to view the beautiful nineteenth century shopping arcade. The Market House had been modelled on Burlington Arcade and designed by John Nash in 1807. This now houses a variety of shops and restaurants and had been well-restored in 1955. Further down, we stood at the mediaeval Market Cross whose fine clock faces on each side of the hexagon. These are operated from one timepiece and until a short time ago, the clock was wound regularly by hand.
From there we made our way towards the Cathedral, passing Ernest Shackleton’s sister’s house where he had stayed before his fateful journey to The South Pole. Anne regaled us with memories of seeing Miss Shackleton when she was a little girl. We turned into Vicars' Walk, a beautiful row of Regency Houses and Victorian cottages, passing The Deanery, a fine Queen Anne building and George Bell House, named after the former Bishop of Chichester, George Bell, (1929-58).
We then entered Bishop’s Palace Gardens, at one time part of the garden of the Bishop of Chichester. These beautiful gardens are now maintained by the District Council. There is much tropical planting throughout given the protection of the walls and the subsequent micro-climate. Climbing up onto the City Walls we stopped at the first bastion which in Romanesque times would been higher with additional timberwork. The view of the City from the sea would have been that of a well-defended citadel. Anne pointed out the site of a City excavation below and we also had a view of the River Lavant, albeit rather dry.
We descended from the Walls at Northgate, past the place where Eric Gill, the illustrator, had lived. The house is now demolished for a roundabout, although a plaque records the famous illustrator.
Leaving the Walls we crossed into Priory Lane and entered Priory Park which had been gifted to the City by the Duke of Richmond. We enjoyed an exceptional view of the park - a beautiful green space – below us the pristine Bowling Green and to the left the Romanesque motte and bailey, a scheduled monument. Passing the Guildhall Museum also situated in the park, Anne took us back along North Street to The Council House. Outside the building on the left of the door, she pointed out the Neptune and Minerva Stone, found nearby in 1723.
We adjourned to the Council Chamber to enjoy a welcome lunch together. After this the group made its way to the Cathedral where we met our guide, Mrs Pamela Digham, at the West Door. She commenced our tour in the Baptistry where we viewed the font. This beautiful piece of modern stonework, made in Cornish polyphant stone with an inset copper bowl, was designed by John Skelton in 1983 and is pan of the memorial to Bishop George Bell. We also saw the painting of the Baptism of Christ by Hans Feibusch which was executed in 1951.
Moving on, we visited the Chapel of St George and then entered the Chapel of St Clement, with its altar frontal, the icon of the Divine Light by Cecil Collin. Pamela Digham pointed out the memorial to the RAF, detailing the various air?elds around Chichester which were used during the last war. This was dedicated to the RAF in 2006. On our way to the High Altar, we viewed two rare Romanesque sculptures, depicting the raising of Lazarus and Christ arriving at Bethany. It was explained that originally these sculptures would have brightly coloured and there would have been jewels or semi-precious stones in the eyes.
At the High Altar we saw a major art work, the tapestry by John Piper. This stunning design hangs behind the altar; the central subject is the Holy Trinity. The work was woven in France in 1966 and caused much controversy at the time. This, amongst other works of art in the Cathedral, was commissioned by Dean Hussey. At the back of the High Altar we viewed the Anglo- German Tapestry, woven by Ursula Benker-Scirmer in 1985 - a dramatic work containing symbols relating to the life of St Richard of Chichester.
In a small chapel on the west of the building our guide pointed out the Graham Sutherland painting entitled Noli me tangere, the painting of the Risen Christ. Marc Chagall’s dramatic stain glass window based on Psalm 150, culminated our visual experience of the Cathedral art.
Our guide gave us a wealth of information and background to the history and art in the Cathedral and our thanks are due to her articulate presentation and response to our interest and questions. Before our departure she pointed out the Arundel Tomb of the Earl and his Countess, the inspiration for a poem by Philip Larkin.
The outing to Chichester was most successful and thanks are due to Iain Patton for his excellent organisation and also to the Chichester Society which did much to make our day so enjoyable.