Dorothy had volunteered to drive for our stay in the South visiting six Cathedrals in six days from Guildford to Salisbury returning home via Oxford.

We arrived at lunchtime on the outskirts, finding a pleasant picnic spot and walking down the River Wey to stretch our legs and getting views of Guildford Cathedral on the hill before driving there for evening prayer. Spring seemed to be a couple of weeks ahead as the bluebells were well out and leaves on trees too.

Guildford is known as the “People’s Cathedral.” It was completed only sixty years ago. Work started in 1934 but stopped with the advent of World War II. By 1954 as it was situated on top of Stag Hill and easily seen it was thought to be an eyesore. The remarkable Eleanora Iredale was employed as a fundraiser by selling the bricks to build the Cathedral. It is also the only English Cathedral dedicated to the Holy Spirit.

The phrase “Two and Six to buy a Brick” and each brick signed by their donor raised £50,000 from selling 400,000 bricks. Apparently, many local people still relate to these. On returning home a friend’s mother recalled when she was at school in Godalming paying for a brick in her name. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip paid and signed their bricks which we saw in St Ursula’s Porch. We entered and were welcomed by a chaplain who allowed us to explore the vast interior.

Guildford may be all red brick outside topped by an enormous gold Angel on its tower but inside it is white with limestone and concrete allowing for the huge span of its Nave.

The West Entrance has glass angels etched into its doors and the entire cathedral has images of the “Holy Spirit” in the form of doves and flames. I admired the needlework of almost 1500 handmade kneelers made by volunteers who had chosen their own subjects ranging from the Olympics to Sputnik.

Guildford has a Children’s Chapel designed for children whose screen and door were given by the Guides and Scouts. There is a memorial book remembering children who have been “loved, lost and commended to God.” I found it profoundly moving.