As it is Easter Sunday I thought it appropriate to have an ecclesiastic reflection. I hasten to add that personally I am not religious but do find visiting and exploring our Cathedrals, ancient and modern, very uplifting….I might confess to saying ‘spiritually uplifting’. I have visited many of our Cathedrals but it was only two years ago I discovered Hereford Cathedral. I have to say it left a big impression on me and a return visit is on the cards.
The building you see to-day is substantially Norman (11th Century) and said to be in the Romanesque style, a very bold, solid, rectangular construction and in some ways looking very modern. But go inside and explore and you enter a colourful, fresh yet traditional Cathedral, welcoming to all…
On the day we visited this welcome was extended to an international Creative Arts Exhibition that made full use of the Cathedrals backdrop. The Lady Chapel (above) is dressed as part of one of the exhibits.
But there is much else to see. The famous ‘Mappa Mundi’ is a beautiful exhibition on permanent display within the Cathedral as is one of the earliest ‘Chained Libraries’. I cannot show you images of these but click on this link and you will find all these details plus a 3D virtual tour…go on click the link it is well worth it http://www.herefordcathedral.org/
On the banks of the River Wye, the Cathedral is central to and very much part of this Cathedral City. A trip to Hereford allows you to explore not just the Cathedral but is river walks, gardens, ancient half timbered buildings and alleyways of traditional shops….yes we will be back to refresh our memories of a ‘Great Day Out’……Oh! I nearly forgot, the Cathedral also has a Great Cafe’
OTHER VIEWS OF HEREFORD to wet your appetite…..
The Appropriately named “OLD HOUSE”
8th APRIL
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 