Canon Paul Denby

I am grateful for this opportunity to say ‘thank you' for the past 12 years working in the cathedral. I was ordained here 31 years ago and have so many special memories, but now it has come time to move on.

From November 1st I shall be working at Byrom House on Quay Street as the Clerk to the Lieutenancy of Greater Manchester in succession to Paul Goddard who retired in June.

This is a part time role and is based on 16-18 hours, though I can see already how this may well extend on occasion. My role is to assist the Lord Lieutenant, Warren Smith in his duties and ensure that Royal Visits, of which there are many in the year, go smoothly and on time.

Many of our Royal visitors undertake visits that might well include a number of venues in the day and so I shall work closely with Greater Manchester Police and other agencies to make each of these occasions as enjoyable as possible for everyone concerned. There is other work that I shall be involved with such as the Honours System, Queen's Awards and general PR visits, but it certainly looks like an exciting time ahead. 

Following the BAFTA loss by Resistance Fall of Man, the Dean of Manchester Cathedral, Rogers Govender issued a statement.

I think it is fair that SONY did not win the BAFTA.  I think some important lessons have been learnt. In an industry that is breaking new frontiers, it is important that long held traditions of film and Television are maintained. These traditions include having courtesy, respecting the dignity of your subject, and admitting when mistakes have been made. In so many ways SONY have failed to live up to these standards by disrespecting people of faith and the victims of gun crime here in Manchester. As a result SONY has learned a lesson - if you do this, then your brand reputation will be damaged in global markets including Europe, America and Japan.

By Michael Powell

Of the many thousands of baptismal, marriage and burial records contained in the Cathedral archives, there is none quite so unusual or poignant as the baptismal entry for 1 December 1811, which reads as follows: ‘Sarah Bartmann, a Female Hottentot from the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, born on the Borders of Cafraria, baptized this day by Permission of the Lord Bishop of Chester in a Letter from his Lordship to Jos. Brookes, Chaplain.' Who was Sarah Bartmann and why was she baptized in the Collegiate Church?

By Canon Paul Denby

We are pleased to say Jennifer Curtis and Elaine Graham are to be made Lay Canons of the cathedral on 7th October at the 10.30am service. Both have offered significant service to the cathedral over the years and they will be welcome additions to the Greater Chapter.

We do hope that you will be able to join us as we not only celebrate this recognition of personal service but also share in a special event of the Signing of the Partnership Agreement between the Dioceses of Manchester and Tampere. We welcome to this service the Bishop of Tampere, The Right Reverend Juhu Pihkala and Bishop Nigel as well as many other guests who have been involved in the work that has led to this historic moment. Please join us.