Derrick May

In these transient days where employment is far from secure it was a delight to be able to celebrate 25 years of loyal service. Derrick May came to the Cathedral as a Verger on 14th April, 1992. He has seen many changes in our building many different Deans and Canons but has carried on his own inimical style taking a philosophical view of life and just doing his job. Derrick was appointed Senior Verger some six years ago and has been of significant help to the Head Verger in managing the building and ensuring that our services have been properly organised. Derrick was presented with a watch suitably inscribed to mark the occasion. We join with Lynn, his children and all of us here in the Cathedral in saying a deserved well done as we look forward to the next 25 years in the life of our Cathedral.

Roger Clegg

Roger has been serving at Manchester Cathedral for 60 years on the 11 September 2007. He joined the Voluntary Choir aged 11 in 1947 under the Choir Master Mr Norman Cocker. After his voice broke he began serving and became an assistant Sidesman for some time. He has carried the Cross for many services over the years, but particularly for Sunday Evensong since the age of 15. He has rarely missed Sunday evening except when away on business. Carrying the Cross is a privilege to him, it means much more that the actual act of carrying it. Roger also serves at his local church, St John the Divine in Brooklands, Sale, for over 35 years and is their representative for the Childrens Society. His wife Barbara has also attended the Cathedral for over 50 years, they were married by Dean Jones and Canon Woolnough in 1963, their twins were christened here and Richard married in the Cathedral in 2005. Richard joined in the Whit Walks when aged 4 eventually joining the Voluntary Choir at 7 years old. He is now a lawyer, living and working in Bulgaria.

Michael Scott

  It is with great delight that we announce that Michael Scott, currently a Verger at Salisbury Cathedral, has been appointed as the Head Verger of our Cathedral. Michael is married to Karen and they have twin 15 year old daughters. Initially Michael will move here on his own until his daughters complete their GCSE examinations but it is a delight to have them around. Michael says this: “I am very much looking forward to the challenges being Head Verger at Manchester Cathedral will offer, and I look forward to meeting you all on Sunday 8th September.” Michael will begin his employment at the cathedral on Monday September 3rd 2007 and we look forward to his expertise and enthusiasm. Michael will join Derrick, Martin and Ioan, as well as the voluntary services of Gareth to strengthen the Vergers Team.

Carol Langhorn

You may well have noticed how clean the cathedral is at this time, or, more particularly, how clean it is becoming. Since the arrival of Carol as our new Cleaner and a member of the Vergers Team, the offices sparkle, the corridors are free from debris and the toilets are pristine to mention but a few of the changes. I can hear you saying ‘at last’ and we have had to deal with some difficult times of late but it wonderful to have Carol with us and I can see nothing but a bright and clean future! Carol has a son called Kristian.

So many young people in this city have now died, as victims of gun crime; so many routinely carry guns, as something glamorous. In the communities where they have grown up, what are the main organisations actively protesting against this gun culture? Everywhere the churches play a key role. Each year in this Cathedral we hold a service to commemorate the victims. 

Then a well-known global corporation produces a photo-realistic computer game, in which the players, armed with machine guns, attempt to slaughter as many enemies as possible, some of them alien monsters, others human. And one of the scenes they use is the interior of our Cathedral.

Dean Rogers Govender

Greetings in the Lord!

Welcome to the website of Manchester Cathedral, Mother Church of the Diocese of Manchester in the Church of England!

Manchester, one of England’s great cities, is both medieval and modern. The first reaction of most visitors to our city is usually WOW!

In recent years more than fifteen thousand people have moved into the city centre as residents. Since the IRA bomb in 1996 the people of this city have risen above this tragedy with new hope and life. The cathedral, also damaged by the bomb, is at the heart of this thriving community, seeking to be a praying, worshipping, inclusive and welcoming community.